THE MAID IN THE MILL. Actus primus. Scaena prima. Enter Lisauro, Terzo, Ismena, and Aminta. Lis. LEt the Coach go round, we'll walk along these Meadows: And meet at Port again: Come my fair Sister, These cool shades will delight ye. Am. Pray be merry, The Birds sing as they meant to entertain ye, Every thing smiles abroad: methinks the River (As he steals by) curls up his head, to view ye: Every thing is in Love. Ism. You would have it so. You that are fair, are easy of belief, x, The Theme slides from your Tongue. Am. I fair, I thank ye: Mine's but shadow when your Sun shines by me. Ism. No more of this, you know your worth (Aminta) Where are we now? Am. Hard by the Town (Ismena) Ter. Close by the Gates: Ism. 'Tis a fine Air. Lis. A delicate; The way so sweet and even, that the Coach Would be a tumbling trouble to our pleasures, Methinks I am very merry: Ism. I am sad: Am. You are ever so when we entreat ye (x) Ism. I have no reason: such a trembling here Over my heart methinks: Am. Sure you are fasting, Or not slept well tonight; some dream (Ismena) Ism. My dreams are like my thoughts, honest, and innocent, Yours are unhappy; who are these that coast us? Enter Antonio & Martin. You told me the walk was private. Ter. 'Tis most commonly: Ism. Two proper men: it seems they have some business, With me none sure; I do not like their faces; They are not of our Company: Ter. No x: Lisauro, we are dogged. Lis. I find it (x) Ant. What handsome Lady? Mar. Yes, she's very handsome. They are handsome both, Ant. Martin, stay we are cozened. Mar. I will go up; a woman is no wildfire. Ant. Now by my life she is sweet: Stay good Martin, They are of our enemies; the House of Belides, Our mortal enemies: Mar. Let 'em be devils, They appear so handsomely, I will go forward; If these be enemies, I'll ne'er seek friends more. Ant. Prithee forbear; the Gentlewomen. Mar. That's it (man) That mopes me like a Gin. Pray ye stand off Ladies: Lis. They are both our enemies: both hate us equally; By this fair day our mortal foes. Ter. I know'em, And come here to affront: how they gape at us? They shall have gaping-work. Ism. Why your swords, Gentlemen? Ter. Pray ye stand you off, x, And good now leave your whistling: we are abused all, Back, back I say: Lis. Go back. Ant. We are no dogs Sir, To run back on command. Ter. we'll make ye run, Sir, Ant. Having a civil charge of handsome Ladies, We are your servants: pray ye no quarrel Gentlemen. There's way enough for both. Lis. we'll make it wider. Ant. If you will fight armed, from this Saint; have at ye. Ism. O me unhappy, are ye Gentlemen? Discreet, and Civil, and in open view thus? Am. What will men think of us? nay you may kill us; Mercy o'me: through my petticoat; what bloody gentlemen! Ism. Make way through me, ye had best, and kill an innocent: Brother, why x: by this light I'll die too: This Gentleman is temperate: be you merciful: Alas, the Swords. Am. You had best run me through the belly, 'Twill be a valiant thrust. Ism. I faint amongst ye. Ant. Pray ye be not fearful; I have done (sweet Lady) My sword's already awed, and shall obey ye: I come not here to violate sweet beauty, I bow to that. Ism. Brother, you see this Gentleman, This Noble Gentleman, Lis. Let him avoid then, And leave our Walk. Ant. The Lady may command Sir, She bears an eye more dreadful than your weapon. Ism. What a sweet nature this man has? dear brother, Put up your sword. Ter. Let them put up and walk then: Ant. No more loud words: there's time enough before us: For shame put up, do honour to these beauties: Mar. Our way is this, We will not be denied it. Ter. And ours is this, we will not be crossed in it. Ant. whate'er your way is (Lady) 'tis a fair one; And may it never meet with rude hands more, Nor rough uncivil Tongues. Exeunt. Ism. I thank ye Sir, Indeed I thank ye nobly: A brave Enemy, Here's a sweet temper now: This is a man (Brother) This Gentleman's anger is so nobly seated, That it becomes him: Yours proclaim ye Monsters. What if he be our House-Foe? we may brag on't: We have ne'er a friend in all our House so honourable: I had rather from an Enemy, my Brother, Learn worthy distances and modest difference. Then from a race of empty friends, loud nothings: I am hurt between ye. Am. So am I, I fear too: I am sure their swords were between my legs; dear x Why look ye pale? where are ye hurt? Ism. I know not, But here methinks. Lis. Unlace her gentle x. Ism. My heart, my heart, and yet I bless the Hurter. Am. Is it so dangerous? Ism. Nay, nay, I faint not. Am. Here is no blood that I find, sure 'tis inward: Ism. Yes, yes, 'tis inward: 'twas a subtle weapon, The hurt not to be cured I fear. Lis. The Coach there. Am. May be affright. Ism. Aminta, 'twas a sweet one, And yet a cruel. Am. Now I find the wound plain: A wondrous handsome Gentleman. Ism. Oh no deeper: Prithee be silent (wench) it may be thy cause. Am. You must be searched: the wound will rankle; x And of so sweet a nature. Ism. Dear Aminta: Make it not sorer. Am. And on my life admires ye. Ism. Call the Coach, x. Am. The Coach, the Coach. Ter, 'Tis ready, bring the Coach there. Lis. Well my brave enemies, we shall yet meet ye, And our old hate shall testify. Ter. It shall (x.) Exeunt. Scaena secunda. Enter Antonio and Martine. Ant. Their swords, alas, I weigh'em not (dear Friend) The indiscretion of the Owners blunts'em; The fury of the House affrights not me, It spends itself in words: (Oh me Martine) There was a two edged eye, a Lady carried A weapon that no valour can avoid, Nor Art (the hand of Spirit) put aside. O Friend, it broke out on me like a bullet Wrapped in a cloud of fire: that point (Martine) Dazzled my sense, and was too subtle for me, Shot like a Comet in my face, and wounded (To my eternal ruin) my heart's valour. Mar. Methinks she was no such piece. Ant. Blaspheme not Sir, She is so far beyond weak commendation, That impudence will blush to think ill of her. Mar. I see it not, and yet I have both eyes open: And I could judge, I know there is no beauty Till our eyes give it 'em'em, and make'em handsome; What's red and white, unless we do allow'em? A green face else; and methinks such another. Ant. Peace thou lewd Heretic; Thou judge of beauties? Thou hast an excellent sense for a signpost (Friend) Dost thou not see? I'll swear thou art soon blind else, As blind as ignorance; when she appeared first Aurora breaking in the east, and through her face, As if the Hours and Graces had strewed Roses, A blush of wonder flying; when she was frighted At our uncivil swords, didst thou not mark How far beyond the purity of snow The soft wind drives whiteness of innocence, Or any thing that bears Celestial paleness, She appeared o'th' sudden? Didst thou see her tears When she entreated? O thou Reprobate! Didst thou not see those orient tears flowed from her, The little Worlds of Love? A set (Martine) Of such sanctified Beads, and a holy heart to love I could live ever a Religious Hermit. Mar. I do believe a little, and yet methinks She was of the lowest stature. Ant. A rich Diamond Set neat and deep; Nature's chief Art (Martine) Is to reserve her Models curious, Not cumbersome and great; and such a one For fear she should exceed, upon her matter Has she framed this; Oh 'tis a spark of beauty, And where they appear so excellent in little, They will but flame in great; extension spoils'em: Martine learn this, the narrower that our eyes Keep way unto our object, still the sweeter That comes unto us: Great bodies are like Countries, Discovering still, toil and no pleasure finds'em. Mar. A rare Cosmographer for a small Island. Now I believe she is handsome. Ant. Believe heartily, Let thy belief, though long a coming, save thee. Mar. She was (certain) fair. Ant. But hark ye (Friend Martine) Do not believe yourself too far before me, For then you may wrong me, Sir. Mar. Who bid ye teach me? Do you show me meat, and stitch my lips (Antonio?) Is that fair play? Ant. Now if thou shouldst abuse me, And yet I know thee for an arrant Wencher, A most immoderate thing; thou canst not love long. Mar. A little serves my turn, I fly at all games, But I believe. Ant. How if we never see her more? she is our enemy. Mar. Why are you jealous then? As far as I conceive she hates our whole House. Ant. Yet (good Martine) Mar. Come, come, I have mercy on ye: You shall enjoy her in your dream (Antonio) And I'll not hinder: though now I persuade myself. Enter Aminta with a Letter. Ant. Sit with persuasion down, and you deal honestly: I will look better on her. Mar. Stay, who's this, Friend? Ant. Is't not the other Gentlewoman? Mar. Yes, a Letter. She brings no challenge sure: if she do (Antonio) I hope she'll be a Second too; I am for her. Am. A good hour Gentlemen. Ant. You are welcome Lady; 'Tis like our late rude passage has poured on us Some reprehension. Am. No, I bring no anger, Though some deserved it. Ant. Sure we were all too blame, Lady; But for my part (in all humility And with no little shame) I ask your pardons, Indeed I wear no sword to fright sweet beauties. Am. You have it, and this Letter; pray ye Sir view it, And my Commission's done. Mar. Have ye none for me Lady? Am. Not at this time. Mar. I am sorry for't; I can read too. Am. I am glad: but Sir, to keep you in your exercise, You may chance meet with one ill written. Mar. Thank ye, So it be a woman's, I can pick the meaning, For likely they have but one end. Am. You say true Sir. Exit. Ant. Martine, my wishes are come home and loaden, Loaden with brave return: most happy, happy: I am a blessed man: where's the Gentlewoman? Mar. Gone, the spirit's gone: what news? Ant. 'Tis from the Lady; From her we saw: from that same miracle, I know her Name now: read but these three lines; Read with devotion, friend, the lines are holy. Martine reads. I dare not chide ye in my Letter (Sir) 'Twill be too gentle: If you please to look me In the West-street, and find a fair Stone window, Carved with white Cupids; there I'll entertain ye: Night and discretion guide ye. Call me Ismena. Ant. Give it me again: Come, come, fly, fly, I am all fire. Mar. There may be danger. Ant. So there is to drink When men are thirsty, to eat hastily When we are hungry: so there is in sleep, Friend, Obstructions then may rise, and smother us, We may die laughing, choked, even at devotions: An Apoplexy, or a sudden Palsy May strike us down. Mar. May be a train to catch ye. Ant. Then I am caught: and let Love answer for it. 'Tis not my folly, but his infamy: And if he be adored, and dare do vild things. Mar. Well, I will go. Ant. She is a Lady, Sir, A Maid, I think, and where that holy spell Is flung about me, I ne'er fear a villainy, 'Tis almost night: away friend. Mar. I am ready, I think I know the house too. Ant. Then we are happy. Exeunt. Scaena Tertia. Enter Ismena and Aminta. Ism. Did you meet him? Am. Yes. Ism. And did you give my Letter? Am. To what end went I? Ism. Are ye sure it was he? Was it that Gentleman? Am. Do you think I was blind? I went to seek no Carrier, nor no Midwife. Ism. What kind of man was he? thou mayst be deceived Friend. Am. A man with a nose on's face: I think he had eyes too, And hands: for sure he took it. Ism. What an answer? Am. What questions are these to one that's hot and troubled? Do you think me a Babe? am I not able (x) At my years and discretion, to deliver A Letter handsomely! is that such a hard thing? Why every wafer-woman will undertake it: A sempster's girl, or a tailor's wife will not miss it: A Puritan Hostess (x) would scorn these questions. My legs are weary. Ism. I'll make'em well again. Am. Are they at Supper? Ism. Yes, and I am not well, Nor desire no company: look out, 'tis darkish. Am. I see nothing yet: assure yourself, Ismena, If he be a man he will not miss. Ism. It may be he is modest, And that may pull him back from seeing me; Or has made some wild construction of my easiness: I blush to think what I writ. Am. What should ye blush at? Blush when you act your thoughts, not when you write 'em; Blush soft between a pair of sheets, sweet x, Though he be a curious carried Gentleman, I cannot think He's so unnatural to leave a woman, A young, a noble, and a beauteous woman, Leave her in her desires: Men of this age Are rather prone to come before they are sent for. Hark, I hear something: up to th'Chamber, x, You may spoil all else. Enter Antonio and Martine. Ism. Let me see, they are Gentlemen; It may be they. Am. They are they: get ye up, And like a Land-star draw him. Ism. I am shamefaced. Exit. Ant. This is the street. Mar. I am looking for the house: Close, close, pray ye close here. Ant. No, this is a merchant's; I know the man well: Mar. And this a pothecary's: I have lain here many times. For a looseness in my Hilts. Ant. Have ye not passed it? Mar. No sure: There is no house of mark that we have scaped yet. Ant. What place is this? Mar. Speak softer: 'may be spies; If any, this, a goodly window too, carved far above, that I perceive: 'tis dark, But she has such a lustre. Enter Ismena and Aminta above with a Taper. Ant. Yes Martine, So radiant she appears. Mar. Else we may miss, Sir: The night grows vengeance black, pray heaven she shine clear: Hark, hark, a window, and a candle too. Ant. Step close, 'tis she: I see the cloud disperse, And now the beauteous Planet. Mar. Hah, 'tis indeed, Now by the soul of love a divine Creature. Ism. Sir, Sir, Ant. Most blessed Lady. Ism. Pray ye stand out. Am. You need not fear, there's nobody now stirring. Mar. Beyond his commendation I am taken, Infinite strangely taken. Am. I love that Gentleman, Methinks he has a dainty nimble body: I love him heartily. Ism. 'Tis the right Gentleman: But what to say to him, Sir. Am. Speak. Ant. I wait still, And will do till I grow another Pillar, To propped this house, so it please you. Ism. Speak softly, And pray ye speak truly too. Ant, I never lied, Lady. Ism. And don't think me impudent to ask ye, I know ye are an Enemy, speak low, But I would make ye a friend. Ant. I am friend to beauty; there's no handsomeness I dare be foe too. Ism. Are ye married? Ant. No. Ism. Are ye betrothed? Ant. No, neither. Ism. Indeed (fair Sir.) Ant. Indeed (fair sweet) I am not. Most beauteous Virgin, I am free as you are. Ism. That may be Sir, than ye are miserable, For I am bound. Ant. Happy the bonds that hold ye; Or do you put them on yourself for pleasure? Sure they be sweeter far than liberty: There is no blessedness but in such bondage: Give me that freedom (Madam) I beseech ye, (Since you have questioned me so cunningly) To ask you whom you are bound to, he must be certain More than humane, that bounds in such a beauty: Happy that happy chain, such links are heavenly. Ism. Pray ye do not mock me, Sir. Ant. Pray ye (Lady) tell me. Ism. Will ye believe, and will ye keep it to ye? And not scorn what I speak? Ant. I dare not (Madam) As Oracle what you say, I dare swear to. Ism. I'll set the candle by: for I shall blush now; Fie, how it doubles in my mouth? it must out, 'Tis you I am bound to. Ant. Speak that word again, I understand ye not. Ism. 'Tis you I am bound to. Ant. Here is another gentleman. Ism. 'Tis you Sir. Am. He may beloved too. Mar. Not by thee, first curse me. Ism. And if I knew your name. Ant. Antonio (Madam) Ism. Antonio, take this kiss, 'tis you I am bound to. Ant. And when I set ye free, may heaven forsake me, Ismena. Ism. Yes, now I perceive ye love me, You have learned my name. Ant. Hear but some vows I make to ye: Hear but the protestations of a true love. Ism. No, no, not now: vows should be cheerful things, Done in the clearest light, and noblest testimony: No vow (dear Sir) tie not my fair belief To such strict terms: those men have broken credits, Loose and dismembered faiths (my dear Antonio) That splinter'em with vows: am I not too bold? Correct me when you please. Ant. I had rather hear ye, For so sweet Music never struck mine ears yet: Will you believe now? Ism. Yes. Ant. I am yours. Ism. Speak louder, If ye answer the Priest so low, you will lose your wedding Mar. Would I might speak, I would hollo. Ant. Take my heart, And if it be not firm and honest to you, Heaven. Ism. Peace, no more: I'll keep your heart, and credit it. Keep you your word: when will you come again (Friend?) For this time we have wooed indifferently, I would fain see ye, when I dare be bolder. Ant. Why any night: only (dear noble Mistress) Pardon three days: my Uncle Julio Has bound me to attend him upon promise, Upon expectation too: we have rare sports there, Rare Country sports, I would you could but see'em. Dare ye so honour me? Ism. I dare not be there, You know I dare not, no, I must not (friend) Where I may come with honourable freedom: Alas, I am ill too; we in love. Ant, You flout me. Ism. Trust me I do not: I speak truth, I am sickly, And am in Love: but you must be Physician. Ant. I'll make a plaster of my best affection. Ism. Be gone, we have supped, I hear the people stir, Take my best wishes: give me no cause (Antonio) To curse this happy night. Ant. I'll lose my life first, A thousand kisses. Ism. Take ten thousand back again. Mar. I am dumb with admiration: shall we go Sir? Exeunt. Ism. Dost thou know his Uncle? Am. No, but I can ask, x. Ism. I'll tell thee more of that, come let's to bed both, And give me handsome dreams, Love, I beseech thee. Am. 'Has given ye a handsome subject. Ism. Pluck to the windows. Exeunt. Six Chairs placed at the Arras. Actus secundus. Scaena Prima. Enter Bustofa. Bust. The thundering Seas, whose watery fire washes The whiting mops: The gentle Whale whose feet so fell Flies o'er the mountain's tops. within Franio. Fra. Boy. Bust. The thundering. Fra. Why boy Bustofa. Bust. Here I am, the gentle whale. Ent. Franio. Fra. Oh, are you here Sir? where's your sister? Bust. The gentle whale flies o'er the mountain tops. Fra. Where's your sister (man) Bust. Washes the whiting-Mops. Fr. Thou liest, she has none to wash mops? The boy is half way out of his wits, sure: Sirrah, who am I? Bust. The thundering Seas. Fra. Mad, stark mad. Bust. Will you not give a man leave to con? Fra. Yes, and fesse too, ere I have done with you Sirrah, Am I your father? Bust. The question is too hard for a child, ask me any thing That I have learned, and I'll answer you. Fra. Is that a hard question? Sirrah, am not I your Father? Bust. If I had my mother-wit I could tell you. Fra. Are you a thief? Bust. So far forth as the son of a Miller. Fra. Will you be hanged? Bust. Let it go by eldership. The gentle Whale. Fra. Sirrah, lay by your foolish study there, And beat your brains about your own affairs: or— Bust. I thank you; you'd have me go under the sails And beat my brains about your mill? a natural Father you are.— Fran. I charge you go not to the sports today: Last night I gave you leave, now I recant. Bust. Is the wind turned since last night? Fra. Marry is it Sir, go no farther than my Mill; There's my command upon you. Bust. I may go round about then as your Mill does? I will see your Mill gelded, and his Stones fried in steaks, Ere I deceive the Country so: have I not my part to study? How shall the sports go forward, if I be not there? Fra. They'll want their fool indeed, if thou be'st not there. Bust. Consider that, and go yourself. Fra. I have fears (Sir) that I cannot utter, You go not, nor your Sister: there's my charge. Bust. The price of your golden thumb cannot hold me. Fra. ay, this was sport that I have tightly loved, I could have kept company with the Hounds. Bust. You are fit for no other company yet. Fra. Run with the Hare; and been in the whore's tail y' faith: Bust. That was before I was born, Ent. Otrante and Gerasto. I did ever mistrust I was a Bastard, Because Lapis is in the singular number with me. Otr. Leave thou that gun (Gerasto) and chase here, Do thou but follow it with my desires, Thou'lt not return home empty. Ger. I am prepared (My Lord) with advantages: and see Yonder's the subject I must work upon: Otr. Her Brother? 'tis, methinks it should be easy: That gross compound cannot but diffuse The soul in such a latitude of ease, As to make dull her faculties, and lazy: What wit above the least can be in him, That Reason ties together? Ger. I have proved it, Sir, And know the depth of it: I have the way To make him follow me a hackney-pace, With all that flesh about him; yes, and drag His Sister after him: This baits the old one, Rid you him, and leave me to the other. Exit Otr. 'Tis well: O Franio, the good day to you; You were not wont to hear this music standing: The Beagle and the Bugle ye have loved, In the first rank of Huntsmen. Bust. The dogs cry out of him now. Fra. Sirrah, leave your barking, I'll bite you else: Bust. Cur, Cur. Fra. Slave, dost call me dog? Otr. Oh fie Sir, he speaks Latin to you, He would know why you'll bite him. Bust. Respond cur; You see his understanding (my Lord) Fra. I shall have a time to curry you for this: But (my Lord) to answer you, the days have been I must have footed it before this Hornpipe, Though I had hazarded my Mill afire, And let the stones grind empty: but those dancings Are done with me: I have good will to it still. And that's the best I can do. Otr. Come, come, you shall be horsed: Your company deserves him, though you kill him, Run him blind, I care not. Bust. he'll do't o'purpose (my Lord) to bring him up to the Mill. Fra. Do not tempt me too far (my Lord) Otr. There's a foot i'th' stirrup: I'll not leave you now: You shall see the Game fall once again: Fra. Well (my Lord) I'll make ready my legs for you, And try'em once a horseback: sirrah: my charge, keep it. Exit. Bust. Yes, when you pare down your dish for conscience sake. When your thumb's coined into bone & legalis, When you are a true man-Miller. Otr. What's the matter Bustofa? Bust. My Lord; if you have ere a drunken Jade that has the staggers, That will fall twice the height of our Mill with him: set him O'th' back on him: a galled Jennet that will winch him out o' the Saddle, and break one on's necks, or a shank of him (there was A fool going that way, but the Ass had better luck;) Or one of your brave Barbaries, that would pass the Straits, and run Into his own Country with him; the first Moor he met, would Cut his throat for Complexions sake: there's as deadly feud between A Moor and a Miller, as between black and white. Otr. Fie, fie, this is unnatural Bustofa, Unless on some strong cause. Bust. Be Judge (my Lord) I am studied in my part: the Julian-Feast is today: the Country Expects me; I speak all the dumb shows: my sister chosen for A Nimp. The gentle Whale whose feet so fell: Cry mercy, That was some of my part: But his charge is to keep the Mill, And disappoint the Revels. Otr. Indeed, there it speaks shrewdly for thee; the Country expecting. Bust. ay, and for mine own grace too. Ot. Yes, and being studied too: and the main Speaker too. Bust. The main? why all my Speech lies in the main, And the dry ground together: The thundering seas, whose, etc. Otr. Nay, than thou must go, thou'lt be much condemned else. But then o'th' other side, obedience. Bust. Obedience? But speak your conscience now (my Lord) Am not I past asking blessing at these years? Speak as you're a Lord, if you had a Miller to your father. Otr. I must yield to you (Bustofa), your reasons Are so strong, I cannot contradict: This I think, If you go, your sister ought to go along with you. Bust. There I stumble now: she is not at age. Otr. Why? she's fifteen, and upwards. Bust. Thereabouts. Otr. That's woman's ripe age; as full as thou art At one and twenty: she's manable, is she not? Bust. I think not: poor heart, she was never tried in my conscience. 'Tis a coy thing; she will not kiss you a clown, not if he Would kiss her. Otr. What man? Bust. Not if he would kiss her, I say. Otr. Oh, 'twas cleanlier than I expected: well Sir. I'll leave you to your own, but my opinion is, You may take her along: this is half way: The rest (Gerasto) and I hunt my prey.— Exit. Bust. Away with the old Miller (my Lord) and the mill Strikes sail presently. Enter Pedro, with Gerasto blind, singing. Song. Ger. Come follow me (you Country-Lasses) And you shall see such sport as passes: You shall dance, and I will sing; Pedro he shall rub the string: Each shall have a loose-bodied gown Of green; and laugh till you lie down. Come follow me, come follow, etc. Enter Florimell. Bust. O sweet Diego, the sweetest Diego, stay: Sister Florimell. Flo. What's that, Brother? Bust. Didst not hear Diego? Hear him, and thou'lt be ravished. Flo. I have heard him sing, yet unravished, Brother. Bust. You had the better luck (Sister.) I was ravished By mine own consent: Come away: for the Sports. Flo. I have the fear of a Father on me (Brother.) Bust. Out: the thief is as safe as in his mill; he's hunting with our Great Landlord, the Don Otrante. Strike up Diego. Flo. But say he return before us, Where's our excuse? Bust. Strike up Diego. Hast no strings to thy apron? Flo. Well, the fault lie upon your head (Brother). Bu. My faults never mount so high (girl) they rise but to My middle at most. Strike up Diego. Ger. Follow me by the ear, I'll lead thee on (Bustofa) and Pretty Florimell thy Sister: oh that I could see her. Bust. Oh Diego, there's two pities upon thee; great pity thou art blind; And as great a pity thou canst not see. Song. Ger. You shall have Crowns of Roses, Daisies, Buds, where the honey-maker gazes: You shall taste the golden thighs, Such as in wax-Chamber lies. What fruit please you, taste, freely pull, Till you have all your bellies full. Come follow me, etc. Bust. O Diego, the Don was not so sweet when he perfumed the Steeple. Exeunt. Scaena Secunda. Enter Antonio and Martine. Mar. Why, how now (Friend) thou art not lost again? Ant. Not lost? why, all the world's a wilderness: Some places peopled more by braver beasts Than others are: But faces, faces (man) May a man be caught with faces? Mar. Without wonder. 'Tis odds against him: May not a good face Lead a man about by the nose? 'las, The nose is but a part against the whole. Ant. But is it possible that two faces Should be so twined in form, complexion, Figure, aspect? that neither wen, nor mole, The table of the brow, the eyes lustre, The lips cherry; neither the blush nor smile Should give the one distinction from the other? does Nature work in moulds? Mar. Altogether. We are all one mould, one dust. Ant. Thy reason's mouldy. I speak from the Form, thou the Matter. Why? was't not ever one of Nature's Glories, Nay, her great piece of wonder, that amongst So many millions millons of her works She left the eye distinction, to cull out The one from other; yet all one name, the face? Mar. You must compare 'em by some other part Of the body, if the face cannot do't. Ant. Didst ask her name? Mar. Yes, and who gave it her, And what they promised more, besides a spoon, And what Apostles picture; she is christened too, In token wherefore she is called Isabella, The daughter of a Country plow-swain by: If this be not true, she lies. Ant. She cannot; It would be seen a blister on her lip, Should falsehood touch it, it is so tender: Had her name held, 't had been Ismenia, And not another of her name. Mar. Shall I speak? Ant. Yes, if thou'lt speak truth: Is she not wondrous like? Mar. As two garments of the same fashion, Cut from the same piece: yet if any excel, This has the first; and in my judgement 'tis so. Ant. 'Tis my opinion. Mar. Were it the face Where mine eye should dwell, I would please both With this, as soon as one with the other. Ant. And yet the other is the case of this. Had I not looked upon Ismenia, I ne'er had stayed beyond good-morrows time In view of this. Mar. Would I could leave him here, 'Twere a free passage to Ismenia: I must now blow, as to put out the fire Yet kindle't more. You not consider Sir, The great disparity is in their bloods, Estate and fortunes: there's the rich beauty Which this poor homeliness is not endowed with; There's difference enough. Ant. The least of all. Equality is no rule in love's Grammar: That sole unhappiness is left to Princes To marry blood: we are free disposers, And have the power to equalise their bloods Up to our own; we cannot keep it back, 'Tis a due debt from us. Mar. I Sir, had you No Father nor Uncle, nor such hinderers, You might do with yourself at your pleasure; But as it is. Ant. As it is; 'tis nothing: Their powers will come too late, to give me back The yesterday I lost. Mar. Indeed, to say sooth, Your opposition from the other part Is of more force; there you run the hazard Of every hour a life, had you supply; You meet your dearest enemy in love With all his hate about him: 'T will be more hard For your Ismenia to come home to you, Than you to go to Country Isabell. Enter Julio. Ant. Tush; 'tis not fear removes me. Mar. No more: your Uncle. Jul. Oh, the good hour upon you Gentlemen: Welcome Nephew; Speak it to your friend Sir, It may be happier received from you, In his acceptance. Ant. I made bold, Uncle, To do it before; and I think he believes it. Mar. 'Twas never doubted, Sir. Jul. Here are sports (Dons) That you must look on with a loving eye, And without Censure, 'less it be giving My country neighbours' loves their yearly offerings That must not be refused; though't be more pain To the Spectator, than the painful Actor, 'Twill abide no more test than the tinsel we clad our Masks in for an hours wearing, Or the Livery lace sometimes on the cloaks Of a great Don's Followers: I speak no further Than our own Country, Sir. Mar. For my part, Sir, The more absurd, 't shallbe the better welcome. Jul. You'll find the guest you look for: I heard x, You were at Toledo th'other day. Ant. Not late, Sir. Jul. O fie! must I be plainer? You changed the point With Tirso and Lisauro, two of the Stock Of our Antagonists, the Belides. Ant. A mere proffer, Sir; the prevention Was quick with us: we had done somewhat else: This Gentleman was engaged in 't. Jul. I am The enemy to his foe for it: that wildfire Will crave more than fair water, to quench it I suspect. Whence it will come I know not. Enter two or three Gentlemen. Ant. I was about a gentle reconcilement, But I do fear I shall go back again. Jul. Come, come; The Sports are coming on us: Nay, I have more guests to grace it: Welcome Don Gostanco, Giraldo, Philippo: Seat, seat all. Music. Cup. Love is little, and therefore I present him, Enter a Cupid. Love is a fire, therefore you may lament him. Mar. Alas poor Love, who are they that can quench him? Jul. He 's not without those members, fear him not. Cup. Love shoots, therefore I bear his bow about. And Love is blind, therefore my eyes are out. Ma. I never heard Love give reason for what he did before. Enter Bustofa (for Paris.) Cup. Let such as can see, see such as cannot: behold, Our goddesses all three strive for the ball of gold: And here fair Paris comes, the hopeful youth of Troy, Queen Hecub's darling-son, King Priam's only joy. Mart. Is this Paris? I should have taken him for Hector rather. Bust. Paris at this time: Pray you hold your prating. Ant. Paris can be angry. Jul. Oh, at this time You must pardon him; he comes as a Judge. Mar. — Mercy on all that looks upon him, say I. Bust. The thundering seas whose watery fire washes the whiting-Mops, The gentle Whale, whose feet so fell, flies o'er the mountain tops. No roars so fierce, no throats so deep, no howls can bring such fears As Paris can, if Garden from he call his Dogs and Bears. Mar. ay, those they were that I feared all this while. Bust. Yes Jack-an-Apes. Mar. I thank you, good Paris. Bust. You may hold your peace, and stand further out o'th' way then: The lines will fall where they light, Yes Jack-an-Apes, he hath to sports, and faces make like mirth, Whilst bellowing bulls, the horned beasts, do toss from ground to earth: Blood Bear there is, as Cupid blind. Ant. That Bear would be whipped for losing of his eyes. Bust. Be whipped man may see, But we present no such content, but Nymphs such as they be. Ant. These are long lines. Mar. Can you blame him, leading Bulls & Bears in 'em? Enter Shepherd singing, with Ismena, Aminta, Florimell, (as Juno, Pallas, Venus,) and 3 Nymphs attending. Bust. Go Cupid blind, conduct the dumb, for Ladies must not speak here: Let shepherds sing with dancing feet, and cords of music break here. Song. Now Ladies fight, with heels so light, by lot your luck must fall, Where Paris please, to do you ease, and give the golden Ball. Dance. Mar. If you played Paris now Antonio, where would you bestow it? Ant. I prithee, Friend, Take the full freedom of thought, but no words. Mar. Protest there's a third, which by her habit Should personate Venus, and by consequence Of the Story, receive the honour's prize: And were I a Paris, there it should be. Do you note her? Ant. No; mine eye is so fixed, I cannot move it. Cup. The dance is ended; Now to judgement Paris. Bust. Here Juno, here: but stay, I do espy A pretty gleek coming from Pallas eye: Here Pallas, here: yet stay again: methinks I see the eye of lovely Venus winks: Oh close them both: shut in those golden eyen, And I will kiss those sweet blind cheeks of thine. Juno is angry: yes, and Pallas frowns, Would Paris now were gone from ida's-down. They both are fair, but Venus has the Mole, The fairest hair, and sweetest dimple hole: To her, or her, or her, or her, or neither; Can one man please three Ladies altogether? No, take it Venus, toss it at thy pleasure, Thou art the lover's friend beyond his measure. Jul. Paris has done what man can do, pleased one, Who can do more? Enter Gerasto, (as Mars) Mar. Stay, here's another person. Ger. Come lovely Venus, leave this lower Orb, And mount with Mars, up to his glorious Sphere. Bust. How now, what's he: Flor. I'm ignorant what to do, Sir. Ger. Thy silver-yoke of Doves are in the Team, And thou shalt fly through Apollo's Beam: I'll see thee seated in thy golden Throne, And hold with Mars a sweet conjunction. Exit. Bust. Ha? what follows this? has carried away my sister Venus: He never rehearsed his part with me before. Jul. What follows now Prince Paris? Flor. within.— Help, help, help. Bust. Hue and cry, I think Sir this is Venus' voice, Mine own sister florinell's. Mar. What is there some tragic-act behind? Bust. No, no, altogether Comical; Mars and Venus Are in the old conjunction it seems. Mar. 'Tis very improper then, for Venus Never cries out when she conjoins with Mars. Bust. That's true indeed: they are out of their parts sure, It may be 'tis the Book-holders fault: I'll go see.— Exit. Jul. How like you our Country Revels, Gentlemen? All Gent. Oh, they commend themselves, Sir. Ant. Methinks now Juno and Minerva should take revenge on Paris, It cannot end without it. Mar. I did expect Instead of Mars, the Storm-Gaoler Aeolus, And Juno proffering her Deiopeia As satisfaction to the blustering god, To send his Tossers forth. Jul. It may so follow, Let's not prejudicate the History. Enter Bustofa. Bust. Oh, oh, oh, oh. Jul. So, here's a Passion towards. Bust. Help, help, if you be Gentlemen; my Sister, My Venus; she's stolen away. Jul. The story changes from our expectation, Bust. Help, my father the Miller will hang me else: god Mars Is a bawdy Villain: he said she should ride upon Doves: she's horsed, she's horsed whether she will or no. Mar. Sure I think he's serious. Bust. She's horsed upon a double Gelding, and a Stone-horse in the breech Of her: the poor wench cries help, and I cry help, & none Of you will help. Jul. Speak, is it the show, or dost thou bawl? Bust. A pox on the Ball: my Sister bawls, and I bawl: Either bridle horse and follow, or give me a halter To hang myself: I cannot run so fast as a hog. Jul. Wie follow me, I'll fill the Country with pursuit But I will find the Thief: my House thus abused? Bust. 'Tis my house that's abused, the Sister of my flesh and blood: oh, oh. Exeunt. 1. Wench. 'tis time we all shift for ourselves if this be serious. 2. However I'll be gone. 3. And I. Exeunt. Ant. You need not fright your beauty's pretty souls, With the least pale complexion of a fear. Mar. Juno has better courage: and Minerva more discreet. Ism. Alas my courage was so counterfeit It might have been struck from me with a feather, Juno ne'er had so weak a presenter. Am. Sure I was ne'er the wiser for Minerva, That I find yet about me. Ism. My dwelling, Sir? 'Tis a poor yeoman's roof, scarce a league off, That never shamed me yet. Ant. Your gentle pardon: I vow my erring eyes had almost cast you For one of the most mortal Enemies That our Family has. Ism. I'm forty Sir, I am so like your foe: 'twere fit I hasted From your offended sight. Ant. Oh, mistake not, It was my error, and I do confess it: You'll not believe your welcome; nor can I speak it; But there's my friend can tell you, pray hear him. Mar. Shall I tell her Sir? I'm glad of the employment. Ant. A kinswoman to that beauty: Am. A kin to her, Sir, But nothing to her Beauty. Ant. Do not wrong it, 'tis not far behind her. Am. Her hinder parts are not far off, indeed, Sir. Mar. Let me but kiss you with his ardour now, You shall feel how he loves you. Ism. Oh forbear: 'Tis not the fashion with us, but would you Persuade me that he loves me? Mar, I'll warrant you He dies in't: and that were witness enough on't. Ism. Love me Sir? can you tell me for what reason? Mar. Fie, will ye ask me that which you have about you? Ism. I know nothing Sir. Mar. Let him find it then; He constantly believes you have the thing That he must love you for: much is apparent, A sweet and lovely beauty. Ism. So Sir; Pray you Show me one thing: Did he ne'er love before? (I know you are his bosom-counsellor) Nay then I see your answer is not ready: I'll not believe you if you study farther. Mar. Shall I speak truth to you? Ism. Or speak no more. Mar. There was a smile thrown at him, from a Lady Whose deserts might buy him treble, and lately He received it, and I know where he lost it, In this face of yours: I know his heart's within you. Ism. May I know her name? Mar. In your ear you may With vow of silence. Am. he'll not give over Sir: If he speak for you, he'll sure speed for you. Ant. But that's not the answer to my question. Am. You are the first in my virgin-conscience That ere spoke Love to her: oh, my heart! Ant. How do you? Am. Nothing Sir: but would I had a better face. How well your pulse beats. Ant. Healthfully, does it not? Am. It thumps prettily, methinks. Ism. Alack, I hear it With much pity: how great is your fault too, In wrong to the good Lady? Mar. You forget The difficult passage he has to her, A hell of feuds between the Families. Ism. and that has often Love wrought by advantage To peaceful reconcilement. Mar. There impossible. Ism. This way 'tis worser; 't may seed again in her Unto another generation: For where (poor Lady) is her satisfaction? Mar. It comes in me; to be truth, I love her (I'll go no farther for comparison) As dear as he loves you. Ism. How if she love not? Mar. Tush: be that my pains: You know not what art I have those ways. Ism. Beshrew you, you have practised upon me, Well, speed me here, and you with your Ismenia. Mar. Go, the condition's drawn, ready dated, There wants but your hand to 't. Am. Truly you have taken great pains, Sir. Mar. A friendly part, no more (sweet Beauty.) Am. They are happy, Sir, have such friends as you are. But do you know you have done well in this? How will his Allies receive it? she (though I say't) Is of no better Blood than I am. Mar. There I leave it, I'm at farthest that way. Ism. You shall extend your vows no larger now. My heart calls you mine own: and that's enough. Reason, I know, would have all yet concealed. I shall not leave you unsaluted long Either by pen or person. Ant. You may discourse With me, when you think you're alone, I shall Be present with you. Ism. Come x, will you walk? Am. Alas, I was ready long since: in conscience You would with better will yet stay behind. Ism. Oh Love, I never thought thou'dst been so blind. Mar. You'll answer this Sir. Exeunt. Ant. If ere 't be spoke on: Enter Julio. I purpose not to propound the question. Jul. 'Tis true the poor knave said: some Ravisher, Some of lust's Bloodhounds have seized upon her: The Girl is hurried, as the devil were with 'em And helped their speed. Mar. It may be not so ill, Sir. A well prepared Lover may do as much In hot blood as this, and perform't honestly. Jul. What? steal away a virgin 'gainst her will? Mar. It may be any man's case; despise nothing: And that's a thief of a good quality, Most commonly he brings his theft home again, Though with a little shame. Jul. There's a charge by 't Fallen upon me: Paris (the miller's son) Her brother, dares not venture home again Till better tidings follow of his sister. Ant. You're the more beholding to the mischance, Sir: Had I gone a-boot-haling, I should as soon Have stolen him, as his sister: Marry then, To render him back in the same plight he is May be costly: his flesh is not maintained with little. Jul. I think the poor knave will pine away, He cries all to be pitied yonder. Mar. Pray you Sir, let's go see him: I should laugh To see him cry sure. Jul. Well, you are merry, Sir. Antonio, keep this charge; I have fears Move me to lay it on you: Pray forbear The ways of your enemies, the Bellides. I have reason for my Injunction, Sir. Exeunt. Enter Aminta (as a Page with a Letter.) Ant. To me, Sir? from whom? Am. A friend, I dare vow, Sir. Though on the enemy's part: the Lady Ismenia. Mar. Take heed: blush not too deep: let me advise you In your Answer, 't must be done heedfully. Ant. I should not see a masculine in peace Out of that house. Am. Alas: I am a child, Sir, Your hates cannot last till I wear a sword. Ant. Await me for your answer. Mar. He must see her, To manifest his shame: 'tis my advantage; While our blood 's under us, we keep above: But then we fall when we do fall in love. Exeunt. Actus tertius. Scaena Prima. Enter Julio and Franio. Fra. My Lord, my Lord, your house hath injured me, robbed me of all the joys I had on earth. Jul. Where wert thou brought up (fellow)? Fra. In a Mill. You may perceive it by my loud exclaims, Which must rise higher yet. Jul. Obstreperous Carl. If thy throats tempest could o'erturn my house, What satisfaction were it for thy child? Turn thee the right way to thy journey's end. Wilt have her where she is not? Fra. Here was she lost, And here must I begin my footing after; From whence, until I meet a power to punish, I will not rest: You are not quick to grief, Your hearing 's a dead sense. Were yours the loss, Had you a daughter stolen, perhaps bewhored. (For to what other end should come the thief)? You'd play the Miller then, be loud and high. But being not a sorrow of your own, You have no help nor pity for another, Jul. Oh, thou hast opened a sluice was long shut up, And let a flood of grief in; a buried grief Thy voice hath waked again: a grief as old As likely 'tis, thy child is; friend; I tell thee, I did once lose a daughter. Fra. Did you Sir? Beseech you then, how did you bear her loss? Jul. With thy grief trebled, Fra. But was she stolen from you? Jul. Yes, by devouring thieves, from whom cannot Ever return a satisfaction: The wild beasts had her in her swathing clothes. Fra. Oh much good do'em with her. Jul. Away tough churl. Fra. Why, she was better eaten than my child, Better by beasts then beastly men devoured, They took away a life, no honour from her: Those beasts might make a Saint of her, but these Will make my child a devil: but was she, Sir, Your only daughter? Enter Gillian. Jul. I ne'er had other (Friend) Gil. Where are you (man?) your business lies not here, Your daughter's in the Pound, I have found where. 'Twill cost you dear her freedom. Fra. I'll break it down, And free her without pay: Horse-locks nor chains shall hold her from me. Jul. I'll take this relief, I now have time to speak alone with grief. Exit. Fra. How? my Landlord? he's Lord of my Lands But not my Cattle: I'll have her again (Gill) Gil. You are not mad upon the sudden now. Fr. No Gill, I have been mad these five hours: I'll sell my Mill, and buy a Roaring, I'll batter down his house, and make a Stews on't, Gill. Will you gather up your wits a little And hear me? the King's near by in progress, Here I have got our supplication drawn, And there's the way to help us. Fra. Give it me (Gill,) I will not fear to give it to the King: To his own hands (God bless him) will I give it, And he shall set the Law upon their shoulders, And hang 'em all that had a hand in it. Gill. Where's your Son? Fra. He shall be hanged in flotches: The dogs shall eat him in Lent, there's Cats-meat And Dogs-meat enough about him. Gill. Sure the poor girl is the Counts whore by this time. Fra. If she be the Counts whore, the whore's Count Shall pay for it: He shall pay for a new Maidenhead. Gil. You are so violous: this I'm resolved, If she be a whore once, I'll renounce her, You know, if every man had his right, She's none of our child, but a mere foundling, (And I can guess the owner for a need too) We have but fostered her. Fra. Gill, no more of that, I'll cut your tongue out if you tell those tales. Hark, hark, these Tooters tell us the King's coming: Get you gone; I'll see if I can find him. Exeunt. Enter Lisauro, Tersa, Pedro and Moncado. Lis. does the King remove today? Ter. So says the Harbingers, And keeps his way on to Valentia, There ends the progress. Ped. He hunts this morning Gentlemen, And dines i'th' fields: the Court is all in readiness. Lis. Pedro, did you send for this Tailor? or you Moncado? This light French demi-lance that follows us, Ped. No, I assure ye on my word, I am guiltless, I owe him too much to be inward with him. Mon. I am not quit I am sure: there is a reckoning Of some four scarlet cloaks, and two laced suits Hangs on the file still, like a fearful Comet Makes me keep off. Lis. I am in too Gentlemen, I thank his faith, for a matter of three hundred. Ter. And I for two, what a devil makes he this way? I do not love to see my sins before me. Ped. 'Tis the vacation, and these things break out To see the Court, and glory in their debtors. Ter. What do you call him for? I never love To remember their names that I owe money to, 'Tis not gentle, I shun'em like the plague ever. Lis. His name's Vertigo: hold your heads, and wonder, A Frenchman, and a founder of new fashions: The Revolutions of all shapes and habits Run madding through his brains. Ent. Vertigo. Monc. He is very brave. Lis. The shreds of what he steals from us believe it, Makes him a mighty man: he comes, have at ye. Ver. Save ye together, my sweet Gentlemen, I have been looking— Ter. Not for money Sir? You know the hard time. Ver. Pardon me sweet (Signior) Good faith the least thought in my heart, your love Gentlemen, Your love's enough for me: Money? hang money: Let me preserve your love. Lis. Yes marry shall ye, And we our credit, you would see the Court? Mon. He shall see every place. Ver. Shall I i'faith Gentlemen? Ped. The Cellar, and the Buttery, and the Kitchen, The Pastry, and the Pantry. Ter. ay, and taste too Of every Office: and be free of all too: That he may say when he comes home in glory, Ver. And I will say, i'faith, and say it openly, And say it home too: Shall I see the King also? Lis. Shalt see him every day: shalt see the Ladies In their French clothes: shalt ride a hunting with him, Shalt have a Mistress too: we must fool handsomely To keep him in belief, we honour him, He may call on us else. Ped. A pox upon him. Let him call at home in's own house for salt butter, Ver. And when the King puts on a new suit. Ter. Thou shalt see it first, And desect his doublets, that thou mayst be perfect. Ver. The Wardrobe I would fain view, Gentlemen, Fain come to see the Wardrobe. Lis. Thou shalt see it, And see the secret of it, dive into it: Sleep in the Wardrobe, and have Revelations Of fashions five year hence. Ver. Ye honour me; Ye infinitely honour me. Ter. Any thing i'th' Court Sir, Or within the compass of a Courtier, Ver. My wife shall give ye thanks. Ter. You shall see any thing, The privat'st place, the stool, and where 'tis emptied. Ver. Ye make me blush, ye pour your bounties, Gentlemen, In such abundance. Lis. I will show thee presently The order that the King keeps when he comes To open view; that thou mayst tell thy Neighbours Over a shoulder of mutton, thou hast seen something, Nay, thou shalt present the King for this time. Ver. Nay, I pray Sir. Lis. That thou mayst know what State there does belong to it; Stand there I say, and put on a sad countenance, Mingled with height: be covered, and reserved; Move like the Sun, by soft degrees, and glorious, Into your order (Gentlemen) uncovered, The King appears; we'll sport with you a while Sir, I am sure you are merry with us all the year long (Tailor) Move softer still, keep in that fencing leg; Monsieur, Turn to no side. Enter Franio out of breath. Ter. What's this that appears to him? Lis. 'Has a petition, and he looks most lamentably, Mistake him, and we are made. Fra. This is the King sure, The glorious King, I know him by his gay clothes. Lis. Now bear yourself that you may say hereafter. Fra. I have recovered breath, I'll speak unto him presently, May it please your gracious majesty to consider A poor man's case? King. What's your will Sir? Lis. You must accept, and read it. Ter. The Tailor will run mad upon my life for't. Ped. How he mumps and bridles: he will ne'er cut clothes again. Ver. And what's your grief? Mon. He speaks i'th' nose like his goose. Fra. I pray you read there; I am abused, and frumped Sir, By a great man that may do ill by authority; Poor honest men are hanged for doing less Sir, My child is stolen, the Count Otrante stole her; A pretty child she is, although I say it, A handsome mother, he means to make a whore of her, A silken whore, his knaves have filched her from me; He keeps lewd knaves, that do him beastly offices: I kneel for Justice. Shall I have it Sir? Enter King Philippo, and Lords. Phil. What Pageant's this? Lis. The King: Tailor, stand off, here ends your apparition: Miller, turn round, and there address your paper, There, there's the King indeed. Fra. May it please your Majesty. Phil. Why didst thou kneel to that fellow? Fra. In good faith Sir, I thought he had been a King he was so gallant: There's none here wears such gold. Phil. So foolishly, You have golden business sure; because I am homely Clad, in no glittering suit, I'm not looked on: Ye fools that wear gay clothes love to be gaped at, What are you better when your end calls on you? Will gold preserve ye from the grave? or jewels? Get golden minds, and fling away your Trappings Unto your bodies, minister warm raiments, Wholesome and good; glitter within and spare not: Let my Court have rich souls, their suits I weigh not: And what are you that took such State upon ye? Are ye a Prince? Lis. The Prince of Tailors, Sir, We owe some money to him, and 't like your Majesty. Phil. If it like him, would ye owed more, be modester, And you less saucy Sir: and leave this place: Your pressing iron will make no perfect Courtier: Go stitch at home, and cozen your poor neighbours, Show such another pride, I'll have ye whipped for't, And get worse clothes, these but proclaim your felony. And what's your paper? Fra. I beseech you read it. Phil. What's here? the Count Otrante tasked for a base villainy, For stealing of a maid? Lord. The Count Otrante? Is not the fellow mad Sir? Fra. No, no, my Lord, I am in my wits, I am a labouring man, And we have seldom leisure to run mad, We have other business to employ our heads in, We have little wit to lose too: if we complain, And if a heavy lord lie on our shoulders, Worse than a sack of meal, and oppress our poverties, We are mad straight, and whoped, and tIED in fetters, Able to make a horse mad as you use us, You are mad for nothing, and no man dare proclaim it, In you a wildness is a noble trick, And cherished in ye, and all men must love it: Oppressions of all sorts, sit like new clothes, Neatly and handsomely upon your Lordships: And if we kick when your honours spur us, We are knaves and Jades, and ready for the Justice. I am a true Miller. Phil. Then thou art a wonder. 2 L. I know the man reputed for a good man An honest and substantial fellow. Phil. He speaks sense, And to the point: Greatness begets much rudeness. How dare you (Sirrah) 'gainst so main a person, A man of so much Noble note and honour, Put up this base complaint? Must every Peasant Upon a saucy will affront great Lords! All fellows (Miller?) Fra. I have my reward, Sir, I was told one greatness would protect another, As beams support their fellows; now I find it: If 't please your Grace to have me hanged, I am ready, 'tis but a Miller, and a Thief dispatched: Though I steal bread, I steal no flesh to tempt me. I have a wife, and 't please him to have her too, With all my heart; 't will make my charge the less Sir, She'll hold him play a while: I have a Boy too, He is able to instruct his honour's hogs, Or rub his Horse-heels: when it please his Lordship He may make him his slave too, or his bawd: The boy is well bred, can exhort his Sister: For me, the prison, or the Pillory, To lose my goods, and have mine ears cropped off: Whipped like a Top, and have a paper stuck before me, For abominable honesty to his own daughter, I can endure, Sir: the Miller has a stout heart, Tough as his Toal-pin. Phil. I suspect this shrewdly, Is it his daughter that the people call The miller's fair maid? 2 Lo. It should seem so Sir. Phil. Be sure you be i'th' right, Sirrah. Fra. If I be i'th' wrong Sir, Be sure you hang me, I will ask no courtesy: Your Grace may have a daughter, think of that Sir, She may be fair, and she may be abused too: A King is not exempted from these cases: Stolen from your loving care. Phil. I do much pity him. Fra. But heaven forbid she should be in that venture That mine is in at this hour: I'll assure your Grace The Lord wants a water-mill, & means to grind with her Would I had his stones to set, I would fit him for it. Phil. Follow me (Miller) and let me talk with ye farther, And keep this private all upon your loyalties: Tomorrow morning, though I am now beyond him, And the less looked for, I'll break my fast with good Count. No more, away, all to our sports, be silent. Exeunt. Ver. What Grace shall I have now? Lis. Choose thine own grace, And go to dinner when thou wilt, Vertigo, We must needs follow the King. Ter. You heard the sentence. Mon. If you stay here I'll send thee a shoulder of Venison: Go home, go home, or if thou wilt disguise, I'll help thee to a place to feed the dogs. Ped. Or thou shalt be special Tailor to the king's Monkey, 'Tis a fine place, we cannot stay. Ver. No money, Nor no grace (Gentlemen?) Ter. 'Tis top early tailor. The King has not broke his fast yet. Ver. I shall look for ye The next Term, Gentlemen. Ped. Thou shalt not miss us: Prithee provide some clothes, and dost thou hear Vertigo, Commend me to thy wife: I want some shirts too. Ver. I have Chambers for ye all. Lis. They are too musty, When they are clear we'll come. Ver. I must be patient And provident, I shall never get home else. Exeunt. Scaena Secunda. Enter Otrante and Florimell. Otr. Prithee be wiser wench, thou canst not scape me, Let me with love and gentleness enjoy that That may be still preserved with love, and longed for, If violence lay rough hold, I shall hate thee, And after I have enjoyed thy Maidenhead, Thou wilt appear so stale and ugly to me I shall despise thee, cast thee off. Flor. I pray ye, Sir, Begin it now, and open your doors to me, I do confess I am ugly; Let me go, Sir: A Gipsy-girl: Why would your Lordship touch me? Fie, 'tis not noble: I am homely bred, Course, and unfit for you: why do you flatter me? There be young Ladies, many that will love ye, That will dote on ye: you are a handsome Gentleman, What will they say when once they know your quality? A Lord, a Miller? take your Toal-dish with ye: You that can deal with gudgeons, and course flower, 'Tis pity you should taste what manchet means: Is this fit Sir, for your repute and honour? Otr. I'll love thee still. Flo. You cannot, there's no sympathy Between our births, our breeding, arts, conditions, And where these are at difference, there's no liking: This hour it may be I seem handsome to you, And you are taken with variety More than with beauty: tomorrow when you have enjoyed me, Your heat and lust assuaged, and come to examine Out of cold and penitent condition What you have done, whom you have shared your love with, Made partner of your bed, how it will vex ye, How you will curse the devil that betrayed ye: And what shall become of me then? Otr. Wilt thou hear me? Flo. As hasty as you were then to enjoy me, As precious as this beauty showed unto ye, You'll kick me out of doors, you will whore and ban me: And if I prove with child with your fair issue, Give me a pension of five pound a year To breed your heir withal, and so good speed me. Otr. I'll keep thee like a woman. Flo. I'll keep myself Sir, Keep myself honest Sir; there's the brave keeping: If you will marry me. Otr. Alas poor Florimell. Flo. I do confess I am too course and base Sir To be your wife, and it is fit you scorn me, Yet such as I have crowned the lives of great ones: To be your whore, I am sure I am too worthy, (For by my troth Sir, I am truly honest) And that's an honour equal to your greatness. Otr. I'll give thee what thou wilt. Flo. Tempt me no more then: Give me that peace, and than you give abundance, I know ye do but try me, ye are noble, All these are but to try my modesty, If you should find me easy, and once coming, I see your eyes already how they would fright me: I see your honest heart how it would swell And burst itself into a grief against me: Your tongue in noble anger, now, even now Sir, Ready to rip my loose thoughts to the bottom, And lay my shame unto myself, wide open: You are a noble Lord: you pity poor maids, The people are mistaken in your courses: You, like a father, try'em to the uttermost. As they do gold: you purge the dross from them, And make them shine. Otr. This cunning cannot help ye: I love ye to enjoy ye: I have stolen ye To enjoy ye now, not to be fooled with circumstance, Yield willingly, or else. Flo. What? Otr. I will force ye. I will not be delayed, a poor base wench That I in courtesy make offer to, Argue with me? Flo. Do not, you will lose your labour, Do not (my Lord) it will become ye poorly Your courtesy may do much on my nature, For I am kind as you are, and as tender: If you compel, I have my strengths to fly to, My honest thoughts, and those are guards about me: I can cry too, and noise enough I dare make, And I have curses, that will call down thunder, For all I am a poor wench, heaven will hear me: My body you may force, but my will never; And be sure I do not live if you do force me, Or have no tongue to tell your beastly Story, For if I have, and if there be a Justice. Otr. Pray ye go in here: I'll calm myself for this time. And be your friend again. Flo. I am commanded. Exit. Otr. You cannot scape me, yet I must enjoy ye, I'll lie with thy wit, though I miss thy honesty: Is this a wench for a boor's hungry bosom? A morsel for a peasant's base embraces? And must I starve, and the meat in my mouth? I'll none of that. Enter Gerasto. Ger. How now my Lord, how sped ye? Have ye done the deed? Otr. No, pox upon't, she is honest. Ger. Honest? what's that? you take her bare denial, Was there ever wench brought up in a mill, and honest? That were a wonder worth a Chronicle, Is your belief so large? what did she say to ye? Otr. She said her honesty was all her dowry, And preached unto me, how unfit, and homely, Nay how dishonourable it would seem in me To act my will; popped me i'th' mouth with modesty. Ger. What an impudent Quean was that? that's their trick ever. Otr. And then discoursed to me very learnedly What fame and loud opinion would tell of me: A wife she touched at. Ger. Out upon her Varlet. Was she so bold? these home spun things are devils, They'll tell ye a thousand lies, if you'll believe'em; And stand upon their honours like great Ladies, They'll speak unhappily too: good words to cozen ye, And outwardly seem Saints: they'll cry downright also, But 'tis for anger that you do not crush 'em. Did she not talk of being with child? Otr. She touched at it, Ger. The trick of an arrant whore to milk your Lordship And then a pension named? Otr. No, no, she scorned it: I offered any thing, but she refused all, Refused it with a confident hate. Ger. You thought so, You should have taken her then, turned her, and tew'd her I'th' strength of all her resolution, flattered her, And shaked her stubborn will: she would have thanked ye, She would have loved ye infinitely, they must seem modest, It is their parts: if you had played your part Sir. And handled her as men do unmanned Hawks, Cast her, and malde her-up in good clean linen: And there have coyed her, you had caught her heartstrings These tough Virginities they blow like white thorns In Storms and Tempests. Otr. She is beyond all this, As cold, and hardened, as the Virgin Crystal. Ger. Oh force her, force her, Sir, she longs to be ravished Some have no pleasure but in violence; To be torn in pieces is their paradise: 'Tis ordinary in our Country, Sir, to ravish all They will not give a penny for their sport Unless they be put to it, and terribly, And then they swear they'll hang the man comes near 'em'em, And swear it on his lips too. Otr. No, no forcing, I have another course, and I will follow it, I command you, and do you command your fellows, That when you see her next, disgrace, and scorn her, Ill seem to put her out o'th' doors o'th' sudden And leave her to conjecture, then seize on her Away, be ready straight. Ger. We shall not fail, Sir. Exit. Otr. Florimell. Enter Florimell. Flo. My Lord. Otr. I am sure you have now considered And like a wise wench weighed a friend's displeasure, Repented your proud thoughts, and cast your scorn off. Flo. My Lord, I am not proud, I was never beautiful. Nor scorn I any thing that's just and honest. Otr. Come, to be short, can ye love yet? you told me Kindness would far compel ye: I am kind to ye, And mean to exceed that way. Flo. I told ye too, Sir, As far as it agreed with modesty, With honour, and with honesty I would yield to ye: Good my Lord, take some other theme: for Love, Alas, I never knew yet what it meant, And on the sudden Sir, to run through volumes Of his most mystic art, 'tis most impossible; Nay, to begin with lust, which is an Heresy, A foul one too; to learn that in my childhood▪ O good my Lord. Otr. You will not out of this song, Your modesty, and honesty, is that all? I will not force ye. Flo. Ye are too noble, Sir. Otr. Nor play the childish fool, and marry ye, I am yet not mad. Flo. If ye did, men would imagine. Otr. Nor will I woo ye at that infinite price It may be you expect. Flo. I expect your pardon, And a discharge (my Lord) that's all I look for. Otr. No, nor fall sick for love. Flo. 'Tis a healthful year Sir. Otr. Look ye, I'll turn ye out o'dores, and scorn ye. Flo. Thank ye my Lord. Otr. A proud slight Peat I found ye, A fool (it may be too.) Flo. An honest woman, Good my Lord think me. Otr. And a base I leave ye, So fare-ye-well. Exit. Flo. Blessing attend your Lordship; This is hot love, that vanisheth like vapours; His Ague's off, his burning fits are well quenched, I thank heaven for't: his men, they will not force me. Enter Gerasto, and Servants. Ger. What dost thou stay for? dost thou not know the way, Thou base unprovident whore? Flo. Good words, pray ye Gentlemen. 1 Ser. Has my Lord smoked ye over, good wife Miller? Is your Mill broken that you stand so useless? 2 Ser. An impudent Quean, upon my life she is unwholesome; Some base discarded thing my Lord has found her, He would not have turned her off o'th' sudden else. Ger. Now against every sack (my honest sweetheart) With every Sim and Smug. Flo. I must be patient. Ger. And every greasy guest, and sweaty Rascal For his Royal hire between his fingers, Gentlewoman. 1 Ser. I fear thou hast given my Lord the— thou damned thing. 2 Ser. I have seen her in the Stews. Ger. The knave her father Was Bawd to her there, and kept a Tippling house, You must even to it again: a modest function. Flo. If ye had honesty, ye would not use me Thus basely wretchedly, though your Lord bid ye, But he that knows. Ger. Away thou carted impudence, You meat for every man: a little meal Flung in your face, makes ye appear so proud. Flo. This is inhuman. Let these tears persuade you If ye be men, to use a poor girl better: I wrong not you, I am sure I call you Gentlemen. Enter Otrante. Otr. What business is here? away, are not you gone yet? Flo. My Lord, this is not well: although you hate me, For what I know not: to let your people wrong me, Wrong me maliciously, and call me Otr. Peace, And mark me what we say advisedly; Mark, as you love that that you call your credit; Yield now, or you are undone: your good name's perished Not all the world can buy your reputation; 'tis sunk for ever else, these people's tongues will poison ye Though you be white as innocence, they'll taint ye, They will speak terrible and hideous things, And people in this age are prone to credit, They'll let fell nothing that may brand a woman, Consider this, and then be wise and tremble: Yield yet, and yet I'll save ye. Flo. How? Otr. I'll show ye, Their mouths I'll seal up, they shall speak no more But what is honourable and honest of ye, And Saintlike they shall worship ye: they are mine, And what I charge 'em Florimell. Flo. I am ruined, Heaven will regard me yet, they are barbarous wretches: Let me not fall (my Lord.) Otr. You shall not Florimell: Mark how I'll work your peace, and how I honour ye. Who waits there? come all in. Enter Gerasto and Servants. Ger. Your pleasure Sir. Otr. Who dare say this sweet beauty is not heavenly? This virgin, the most pure, the most untainted, The holiest thing? Ger. We know it (my dear Lord) We are her slaves: and that proud impudence That dares disparage her, this sword (my Lord.) 1 Ser. They are rascals, base, the sons of common women That wrong this virtue, or dare own a thought But fair and honourable of her: when we slight her, Hang us, or cut's in pieces: let's tug i'th' Galleys. 2 Ser. Brand us for villains. Flo. Why sure I dream: these are all Saints. Otr. Go, and live all her slaves. Ger. We are proud to do it. Exeunt. Otr. What think ye now? am not I able Florimell Yet to preserve ye? Flo. I am bound to your Lordship, Ye are all honour, and good my Lord but grant me Until tomorrow leave to weigh my Fortunes, I'll give you a free answer, perhaps a pleasing, Indeed I'll do the best I can to satisfy ye. Otr. Take your good time, this kiss, till then farewell, Sweet. Exeunt. Actus quartus. Scaena Prima. Enter Antonio, Martine, Bustofa. Mar. By all means discharge your follower. Ant. If we can get him off: Sirrah Bustofa. Thou must needs run back. Bust. But I must not unless you send A Bier, or a Lictor at my back, I do not use to run From my friends. Ant. Well, go will serve turn: I have forgot. Bust. What Sir, Ant. See if I can think on't now. Bust. I know what 'tis now? Ant. A Pistolet of that. Bust. Done, you have forgot a device to send me away, You are going a smocking perhaps. Mar. His own, due, due i'faith Antonio, The Pistolet's his own. Ant. I confess it, There 'tis: now if you could afford out of it A reasonable excuse to mine Uncle. Bust. Yes, I can: But an excuse will not serve your turn: it must be a lie, A full lie, 'twill do no good else: if you'll go to The price of that? Ant. Is a lie dearer than an excuse? Bust. Oh, treble; this is the price of an excuse: but a lie is two more: Look how many foils go to a fair fall, so many excuses to A full lie, and less cannot serve your turn, let any Tailor I'th' Town make it. Mar. Wie, 'tis reasonable, give him his price: Let it be large enough now. Bust. I'll warrant you, cover him all over. Ant. I would have proof of one now. Bust. What? scale my invention before hand? you shall pardon Me for that: well, I'll commend you to your Uncle, and Tell him you'll be at home at supper with him. Ant. By no means, I cannot come tonight (man) Bust. I know that too, you do not know a lie when you see it. Mar. Remember it must stretch for all night. Bust. I shall want stuff, I doubt 'twill come to the other Pistolet. Ant. Well, lay out, you shall be no loser Sir. Bust. It must be faced, you know, there will be a yard of dissimulation At least (City-measure) and cut upon an untruth or two: Lined With Fables, that must needs be, cold weather's coming, if it had A galoon of hypocrisy, 't would do well: and hooked Together with a couple of conceits, That's necessity; well, I'll bring in my Bill: I'll warrant you as fair a lie by that time I have done With it, as any gentleman i'th' Town can swear too: if he Would betray his Lord and Master. Exit. Ant. So, so, this necessary trouble's over. Mar. I would you had bought an excuse of him Before he went: you'll want one for Ismenia. Ant. Tush, there needs none, there's no suspicion yet, And I'll be armed before the next encounter, In a fast tie with my fair Isabel. Enter Bustofa. Mar. Yes, you'll find your errand is before you now. Bust. Oh Gentlemen, look to yourselves, ye are Men of another world else: your enemies are upon you; The old house of the Bellides will fall upon your heads: Signior Lisauro. Ant. Lisauro? Bust. And Don what call you him? he's a Gentleman: Yet he has but a yeoman's name, Don Tarso, Tarso, and a dozen at their heels. Ant. Lisauro, Tarso, nor a dozen more Shall fright me from my ground, nor shun my path, Let'em come on in their ablest fury. Mar. 'Tis worthily resolved: I'll stand by you Sir, This way, I am thy true friend. Bust. I'll be gone Sir, that one may live to tell what's become of you. Put up, put up, will you never learn to know a lie From an Esop's fables? there's a taste for you now. Exit. Enter Ismenia and Aminta, Mar. Look Sir, what time of day is it? Ant. I know not, my eyes go false, I dare not trust'em now, I prithee tell me (Martin) if thou canst, Is that Ismenia, or Isabella. Mar. This is the Lady, forget not Isabella. Ant. If this face may be borrowed and lent out, If it can shift shoulders, and take other tires, So, 'tis mine where ere I find it Ism. Be sudden: Exit Aminta. I cannot hold out long. Mar. believe't she frowns. Ant. Let it come, she cannot frown me off on't: How prettily it woos me to come nearer? How do you (Lady) since yesterday's pains? Were you not weary? of my faith. Ism. I think you were. Ant. What Lady? Ism. Weary of your faith, 'tis a burden That men faint under, though they bear little of it. Mar. So, this is to the purpose. Ant. You came home In a fair hour I hope? Enter Aminta. Ism. From whence Sir? Am. Sir, there's a Gentlewoman without desires to speak with you. Ant. They were pretty homely toys: but your presence Made them illustrious. Ism. My x speaks to you. Am. A Gentlewoman Sir, Isabella She names herself. Mar. So, so, it hits finely now. Ant. Name yourself how you please: speak what you please, I'll hear you cheerfully. Ism. You are not well, Request her in: she may have more acquaintance With his passions, and better cure for'em. Am. She's nice in that (Madam) poor soul it seems She's fearful of your displeasure. Ism. I'll quit her From that presently, and bring her in myself. Exit. Mar. How carelessly do you behave yourself? When you should call all your best faculties To council in you: how will you answer The breach you made with fair Ismenia? Have you forgot the retrograde vow you took With her, that now is come in evidence? You'll die upon your shame, you need no more Enemies of the house, but the Lady now: You shall have your dispatch. Enter Ismenia like Juno. Ant. Give me that face, And I am satisfied upon whose shoulders soe'er it grows: Juno deliver us Out of this amazement: Beseech you Goddess Tell us of our friends, how does Ismenia? And how does Isabella? both in good health I hope, as you yourself are. Ism. I am at farthest In my counterfeit: my Antonio I have matter against you may need pardon, As I must crave of you. Ant. Observe you Sir, What evidence is come against me? what think you The Hydra-headed Jury will say to't? Mar. 'Tis I am fooled, My hopes are poured into the bottomless tube, 'tis labour for the house of Bellides: I must not seem so yet: but in sooth (Lady) Did you imagine your changeable face Hid you from me? by this hand I knew you. Ant. I went by the face: and by these eyes I Might have been deceived. Ism. You might indeed (Antonio) For this Gentleman did vow to Isabella, That he it was that loved Ismenia, And not Antonio? Mar. Good, and was not that A manifest confession that I knew you? I else had been unjust unto my friend: 'twas well remembered, there I found you out And speak your conscience now. Ant. But did he so protest? Ism. Yes, I vow to you, had Antonio Wedded Isabella, Ismenia Had not been lost, there had been her lover. Ant. Why much good do you friend, take her to you: I crave but one, here have I my wish full, I am glad we shall be so near Neighbours. Mar. Take both Sir, Juno to boot: three parts in one, S. hilary bless you, now opportunity Beware to meet with falsehood, if thou canst Shun it, my friend's faith's turning from him. Ism. Might I not justly accuse Antonio For a love-wanderer? you know no other But me, for another, and confess troth now? Ant. Here was my guide, where ere I find this face, I am a Lover, marry, I must not miss This freckle then, I have the number of 'em, Nor this dimple: not a silk from this brow, I carry the full Idea ever with me; If Nature can so punctually parallel, I may be cozened. Ism. Well, all this is even: But now, to perfect all, our love must now Come to our Enemies hands, where neither part Will ever give consent to't. Ant. Most certain: For which reason it must not be put to'em: Have we not prevention in our own hands. Shall I walk by the tree? desire the fruit, Yet be so nice to pull till I ask leave Of the churlish Gardener, that will deny me? Ism. O Antonio. Ant. 'Tis manners to fall to When grace is said. Ism. That holy act 's to come. Mar. You may ope an oyster or two before grace. Ant. Are there not double vows, as valuable And as well spoke as any Friar utters? Heaven has heard all. Ism. Yes: but stays the blessing, Till all dues be done: heaven is not served by halfs. we shall have ne'er a father's blessing here, Let us not lose the better, from above. Ant. You take up weapons of unequal force, It shows you cowardly: hark in your ear. Am. Have I lost all employment? Would this proffer Had been made to me, though I had paid it With a reasonable penance. Mar. Have I passed All thy forelock (Time)? I'll stretch a long arm But I'll catch hold again: Do but look back Over thy shoulder, and have a pull at thee. Ism. I hear you (Sir) nor can I hear too much While you speak well: You know th' accustomed place Of our night parley: if you can ascend, The window shall receive you. You may find there A corrupted Churchman to bid you welcome. Ant. I would meet no other man. Ism. Aminta, you hear this. Am. With joy (Madam) 'cause it pleases you. It may be mine own case another time: Now you go the right way: ask the Banes out, Put it past father, or friends, to forbid it, And then you're sure. Sir, your Hymen Taper I'll light up for you: the window shall show you The way to Sestos. Ant. I'll venture drowning. Mar. The Simile holds not; 'tis hanging rather. You must ascend your Castle by a ladder; To the foot I'll bring you. Ant. Leave me to climb it. Mar. If I do turn you off? Ant. Till night farewell: Then better. Ism. Best it should be; But peevish hatred keeps back that degree. Exeunt. Mar. I never looked so smooth as now I purpose: And then beware: Knave is at worst of knave When he smiles best, and the most seems to save. Exit. Scaena Secunda. Enter Julio. Jul. My mind's unquiet; while Antonio My Nephew's abroad, my heart is not at home, Only my fears stay with me; bad company; But I cannot shift 'em off. This hatred Betwixt the House of Bellides and us, Is not fair war: 'tis civil, but uncivil. We are near neighbours, were of love as near, Till a cross misconstruction ('twas no more In conscience) put us so far asunder: I would 'twere reconciled; it has lasted Too many sunsets, if grace might moderate: Man should not lose so many days of peace To satisfy the anger of one minute. I could repent it heartily. I sent The knave to attend my Antonio too, Enter Bustofa. Yet he returns no comfort to me neither. Bust. No: I must not. Jul. Hah; he's come. Bust. I must not: 'twill break his heart to hear it. Jul. How? there's bad tidings: I must obscure & hear it; He will not tell me for breaking of my heart, 'Tis half split already. Bust. I have spied him: Now to knock down a Don with a lie, a silly harmless lie; 'twill be valiantly done, and nobly perhaps. Jul. I cannot hear him now. Bust. Oh the bloody days that we live in; the envious, malicious, deadly days that we draw breath in! Jul. Now I hear too loud. Bust. The children that never shall be born may rue it; for men that are slain now might have lived to have got children, that might have cursed their fathers. Jul. Oh, my posterity is ruined. Bust. Oh sweet Antonio. Jul. Oh dear Antonio. Bust. Yet it was nobly done of both parts: When he and Lisauro met, Jul. Oh, death has parted 'em. Bust. Welcome my mortal foe (says one), Welcome my deadly enemy (says th'other:) off go their doublets, they in their shirts, and their swords stark naked; here lies Antonio, here lies Lisauro: he comes upon him with an Embroccado, that he puts by with a puncta reversa; Lisauro recoils me two paces and some six inches back, takes his career, and then, oh. Jul. Oh. Bust. Runs Antonio quite thorough, Jul. Oh villain. Bust. Quite thorough between the arm and the body: so yet he had no hurt at that bout. Jul. Goodness be praised. Bust. But then, at next encounter, he fetches me up Lisauro; Lisauro makes out a Long at him, which he thinking to be a Passado, Antonio's foot slipping: down: oh down. Jul. O now thou art lost. Bust. Oh, but the quality of the thing: both Gentlemen, both Spanish Christians, yet one man to shed Jul. Say his enemy's blood. Bust. His hair may come by divers casualties, though he never go into the field with his foe: but a man to lose nine ounces and two drams of blood at one wound, thirteen and a scruple at another, and to live till he die in cold blood: yet the Surgeon (that cured him) said, if Pia-mater had not been perished, he had been a life's man till this day. Jul. There he concludes he is gone. Bust. But all this is nothing: now I come to the point. Jul. I the point, that's deadly: the ancient blow Over the buckler ne'er went half so deep. Bust. Yet pity bids me keep in my charity: for me to pull an old man's ears from his head with telling of a Tale: oh foul Tale! No, be silent Tale. Furthermore, there is the charge of Burial; every one will cry Blacks, Blacks, that had but the least finger dipped in his blood, though ten degrees removed when 'twas done. Moreover, the Surgeon (that made an end of him) will be paid: Sugar-plums and sweet breads; yet I say, the man may recover again, and die in his bed. Jul. What motley stuff is this? Sirrah, speak truth What hath befallen my dear Antonio? Restrain your pity in concealing it; Tell me the danger full; take off your care Of my receiving it: kill me that way, I'll forgive my death: what thou keep'st back from truth Thou shalt speak in pain; do not look to find A limb in his right place, a bone unbroke, Nor so much flesh unbroiled of all that mountain As a worm might sup on; dispatch, or be dispatched. Bust. Alas Sir, I know nothing, but that Anton. is a man of God's making to this hour, 'tis not two since I left him so. Jul. Where didst thou leave him? Bust. In the same clothes he had on when he went from you. Jul. Does he live? Bust. I saw him drink. Jul. Is he not wounded? Bust. He may have a cut i'th' leg by this time; for Don Martin and he were at whole slashes. Jul. Met he not with Lisauro? Bust. I do not know her. Jul. Her? Lisauro is a man, as he is. Bust. I saw ne'er a man like him. Jul. Didst thou not discourse a fight betwixt Ant. & Lis.? Bust. I to myself; I hope a man may give himself the lie if it please him. Jul. Didst thou lie then? Bust. As sure as you live now. Jul. I live the happier by it: when will he return? Bust. That he sent me to tell you, within these ten days at farthest. Jul. Ten days? he's not wont to be absent two. Bust. Nor I think he will not: he said he would be at home tomorrow; but I love to speak within my compass. Jul. You shall speak within mine Sir, now. Within there: Enter Servants. Take this fellow into custody, keep him safe I charge you. Bust. Safe? do you hear? take notice what plight you find me in, if there want but a collop or a steak o'me, look to't. Jul. If my nephew return not in his health tomorrow, Thou goest to th' Rack. Bust. Let me go to th' manger first; I had rather eat oats then hay. Exeunt. Enter Bellides with a Letter. Bel. By your leave, Sir. Jul. For aught I know yet, you are welcome Sir. Bel. Read that, and tell me so: or if thy spectacles be not easy, Keep thy nose unsaddled, and open thine ears; I can speak thee the contents, I made 'em; 'Tis a challenge, a fair one, I'll maintain 't: I scorn to hire my Second to deliver 't, I bring 't myself: Dost know me, Julio? Jul. Bellides? Bel. Yes: Is not thine hair on end now? Jul. Somewhat amazed at thy rash hardiness; How durst thou come so near thine enemy? Bel. Durst? I dare come nearer: thou'rt a fool, Julio. Jul. Take it home to thee with a knave to boot. Bel. Knave to thy teeth again: and all that's quit: Give me not a fool more than I give thee, Or if thou dost, look to hear on't again. Jul. What an encounter's this? Bel. A noble one: My hand is to my words, thou hast it there, There I do challenge thee, if thou dar'st be, Good friends with me; or I'll proclaim thee coward. Jul. Be friends with thee? Bel. I'll show thee reasons for't: A pair of old coxcombs (now we go together) Such as should stand examples of discretion, The rules of Grammar to unwilling youth To take out lessons by; we that should check And quench the raging fire in others' bloods, We strike the battle to destruction? Read 'em the black art? and make 'em believe It is divinity? Heathens, are we not? Speak thy conscience, how hast thou slept this month, Since this Fiend haunted us? Jul. Sure, some good Angel Was with us both last night: speak thou truth now, Was it not last night's motion? Bel. Dost not think I would not lay hold of it at first proffer? Should I ne'er sleep again? Jul. Take not all from me; I'll tell the doctrine of my vision. Say that Antonio (best of thy blood) Or any one, the least allied to thee, Should be the prey unto Lisauro's sword, Or any of the house of Bellides? Bel. Mine was the just inversion: on, on. Jul. How would thine eyes have emptied thee in sorrow, And left the condiment of Nature dry? Thy hands have turned rebellious to the balls, And broke the glasses, with thine own curses Have torn thy soul, left thee a Statue To propagate thy next posterity. Bel. Yes, and thou causer? so it said to me, They fight but your mischiefs: the young men were friends, As is the life and blood coagulate And curded in one body; but this is yours, An inheritance that you have gathered for 'em, A Legacy of blood, to kill each other Throughout your Generations. Was't not so? Jul. Word for word. Bel. Nay, I can go farther yet. Jul. 'Tis far enough; Let us atone it here. And in a reconciled circle fold Our friendship new again. Bel. The sign's in Gemini, An auspicious house, 't has joined both ours again. Jul. You cannot proclaim me coward now, Don Bellides Bel. No: thou'rt a valiant fellow: so am I: I'll fight with thee at this hug, to the last leg I have to stand on, or breath or life left. Jul. This is the salt unto humanity, And keeps it sweet. Bel. Love! oh life stinks without it. I can tell you news. Jul. Good has long been wanting. Bel. I do suspect, and I have some proof on't, (So far as a Love Epistle comes to) That Antonio (your nephew) and my daughter Ismenia are very good friends before us. Jul. That were a double wall about our houses, Which I could wish were builded. Bel. I had it From Antonio's Intimate, Don Martin: And yet( methought) it was no friendly part To show it me. Jul. Perhaps 't was his consent: Lovers have policies as well as Statesmen: They look not always at the mark they aim at. Bel. we'll take up cudgels, and have one bout with'em, They shall know nothing of this union: And till they find themselves most desperate, Succour shall never see'em. Jul. I'll take your part Sir. Bel. It grows late; there's a happy day past us. Jul. The example I hope to all behind it. Exeunt. Scaena Tertia. Enter Aminta (above) with a Taper. Am. Stand fair, light of Love, which epithet and place Adds to thee honour, to me it would be shame, We must be weight in love, no grain too light; Thou art the Landmark, but if love be blind, (As many that can see have so reported) What benefit canst thou be to his darkness? Love is a Jewel (some say) inestimable, But hung at the ear, deprives our own sight, And so it shines to others, not ourselves. I speak my skill, I have only heard on't, But I could wish a nearer document, Alas, the ignorant desire to know: Some say Love's but a toy, and with a but. Now methinks I should love it ne'er the worse, A toy is harmless sure, and may be played with, It seldom goes without his adjunct, pretty, A pretty toy we say, 'tis meeter to joy too. Well, here may be a mad night yet for all this, Here's a Priest ready, and a Lady ready: A chamber ready, and a bed ready, 'Tis then but making unready, and that's soon done: My Lady is my x; ay, myself, Which is nearest then? My desires are mine, Say they be hers too, is't a hangging matter? It may be ventured in a worser cause, I must go question with my conscience: I have the word; sentinel, do thou stand, Thou shalt not need to call, I'll he at hand. Exit. Enter Antonio and Martin. Ant. Are we not dogged behind us, thinkst thou friend? Mar. I heard not one bark, Sir. Ant. There are that bite And bark not (man) methought I spied two fellows That through two streets together walked aloof, And wore their eyes suspiciously upon us. Mar. Your Jealousy, nothing else; or such perhaps As are afraid as much of us, who knows But about the like business? but for your fears sake I'll advise and entreat one courtesy. Ant. What's that friend? Mar. I will not be denied, Sir, Change your upper garments with me. Ant. It needs not. Mar. I think so too, but I will have it so, If you dare trust me with the better Sir. Ant. Nay then. Mar. If there should be danger towards, There will be the main mark I'm sure. Ant. Here thou tak'st from me. Mar. Tush, the General Must be safe, howe'er the Battle goes: See you the Beacon yonder? Ant. Yes, we are near shore. Enter 2. Gentlemen with weapons drawn, they set upon Martin: Antonio pursues them out in rescue of Martin. Mar. Come, Land, land, you must clamber by the cliff, Here are no stairs to rise by. Ant. ay, are you there? fight and Exeunt. Enter Aminta above, and Martin returned again, ascends. Am. Antonio? Mar. Yes Ismenia. Am. Thine own. Mar. Quench the light, thine eyes are guides illustrious. Am. 'Tis necessary. Exeunt. Enter Antonio. Mar. Your legs have saved your lives, who ere you are, Friend. Martin? where art thou? not hurt I hope: Sure I was farthest in the pursuit of 'em: My pleasures are forgotten through my fears: The lights extinct, it was discreetly done: They could not but have notice of the broil, And fearing that might call up company, Have carefully prevented, and closed up: I do commend the heed; oh, but my friend, I fear his hurt: friend? friend? it cannot be So mortal, that I should lose thee quite, friend? A groan, any thing that may discover thee: Thou art not sunk so far, but I might hear thee: I'll lay mine ear as low as thou canst fall: Friend, Don Martin, I must answer for thee, 'Twas in my cause thou fellest, if thou be'st down, Such dangers stand betwixt us and our joys, That should we forethink ere we undertake, we'd sit at home, and save. What a night's here? Purposed for so much joy, and now disposed To so much wretchedness? I shall not rest in't: If I had all my pleasures there within, I should not entertain'em with a smile. Good night to you: Mine will be black and sad, A friend cannot, a woman may be bad. Exit. Actus Quintus. Scaena Prima. Enter Ismenia and Aminta. Ism. O thou false, Am. Do your daringest, he's mine own, Soul and body mine, church and chamber mine, Totally mine. Ism. dar'st thou face thy falsehood? Am. Shall I not give a welcome to my wishes Come home so sweetly: farewell your company Till you be calmer woman. Exit. Ism. Oh what a heap Of misery has one night brought with it. Ent. Ant. Ant. Where is he? do you turn your shame from me? You're a blind Adultress, you know you are. Ism. How's that Antonio? Ant. Till I have vengeance, Your sin's not pardonable: I'll have him, If hell hide him not: you've had your last of him. Exit. Ism. What did he speak? I understood him not, He called me a foul name, it was not mine, He took me for another sure. Enter Bellides. Bel. Hah? are you there? Where's your sweet heart? I have found you Traitor To my house: wilt league with mine enemy? You'll shed his blood, you'll say: hah? will you so? And fight with your heels upwards? No Minion, I have a husband for you, since you're so rank, And such a husband as thou shalt like him, Whether thou wilt or no: Antonio? Ism. It thunders with the storm now. Bel. And tonight I'll have it dispatched: I'll make it sure, ay, By tomorrow this time thy Maidenhead Shall not be worth a Chicken, if it were Knocked at an outcry: go, I'll ha'ye before me: Shough, shough, up to your coop, pea Hen. Ism. Then I'll try my wings. Exit. Bel. ay, are you good at that? stop, stop thief, stop there. Exit. Scaena secunda. Enter Otrante and Florimell singing. 1. Song. Flo. Now having leisure, and a happy wind, Thou mayst at pleasure cause the stones to grind, Sails spread, and grist here ready to be ground. Fie, stand not idly, but let the Mill go round. Otr. Why dost thou sing and dance thus? why so merry? Why dost thou look so wantonly upon me? And kiss my hands? Flo. If I were high enough, I would kiss your lips too. Otr. Do, this is some kindness, This tastes of willingness, nay, you may kiss Still, but why o'th' sudden now does the fit take ye, Unoffered, or uncompelled? why these sweet courtesies? Even now you would have blushed to death to kiss thus: Prithee let me be prepared to meet thy kindness, I shall be unfurnished else to hold thee play, wench: Stay now a little, and delay your blessings: If this be love, methinks it is too violent: If you repent you of your strictness to me, It is so sudden, it wants circumstance. Flo. Fie, how dull? 2. Song. How long shall I pine for love? how long shall I sue in vain? How long like the Turtle-Dove shall I heavily thus complain? Shall the sails of my love stand still? Shall the grists of my hopes be unground? Oh fie, oh fie, oh fie, let the Mill, let the Mill go round. Otr. Prithee be calm a little, Thou mak'st me wonder, thou that wert so strange, And read such pious rules to my behaviour But yesternight: thou that wert made of modesty, Shouldst in a few short minutes turn thus desperate. Flo. You are too cold. Otr. I do confess I freeze now, I am another thing all over me: It is my part to woo, not to be courted: Unfold this Riddle, 'tis to me a wonder, That now o'th' instant ere I can expect, Ere I can turn my thoughts, and think upon A separation of your honest carriage From the desires of youth, thus wantonly, Thus beyond expectation. Flo. I will tell ye, And tell ye seriously, why I appear thus, To hold ye no more ignorant and blinded, I have no modesty, I am truly wanton: I am that you look for Sir; now come up roundly: If my strict face and counterfeited staledness Could have won on ye, I had caught ye that way, And you should ne'er have come to have known who hurt ye. Prithee (sweet Count) be more familiar with me. however we are open in our natures, And apt to more desires than you dare meet with, Yet we affect to lay the gloss of good on 't: I saw you touched not at the bait of chastity, And that it grew distasteful to pour palate To appear so holy, therefore I take my true shape: Is your bed ready Sir? you shall quickly find me. 3. Song. On the bed I'll throw thee, throw thee down; Down being laid, shall we be afraid to try the rights that belong to love? No, no, there I'll woo thee with a Crown, crown our desires, kindle the fires, when love requires we should wanton prove: We'll kiss, we'll sport, we'll laugh, we'll play, If thou com'st short, for thee I'll stay, If thou unskilful art the ground, I'll kindly teach, we'll have the Mill go round. Otr. Are ye no maid? Flo. Alas (my Lord) no certain: I am sorry you are so innocent to think so, Is this an age for silly maids to thrive in? It is so long too since I lost it Sir, That I have no belief I ever was one: What should you do with maidenheads? you hate'em, They are peevish pettish things, that hold no game up, No pleasure neither, they are sport for Surgeons: I'll warrant you I'll fit you beyond Maidenhead: A fair and easy way men travel right in, And with delight, discourse, and twenty pleasures, They enjoy their journey; mad men creep through hedges. Otr. I am metamorphosed: why do you appear, I conjure ye, beyond belief thus wanton? Flo. Because I would give ye Pleasure beyond belief. 4. Song. Think me still in my Father's Mill, where I have oft been found a-thrown on my back, on a well-filled sack, while the Mill has still gone round-a: Prithee sirrah try thy skill, and again let the mill go round-a. Otr. Then you have traded? Flo. Traded? how should I know else how to live Sir, And how to satisfy such Lords as you are, Our best guests, and our richest? Otr. How I shake now? You take no base men? Flo. Any that will offer, All manner of men, and all religion's Sir, We touch at in our time: all States and Ages, We exempt none. 5. Song. The young one, the old one, the fearful, the bold one, the lame one, though ne'er so unsound, The Jew or the Turk, have leave for to work, the whilst that the Mill goes round, Otr. You are a common thing then. Flo. No matter since you have your private pleasure, And have it by an Artist excellent, Whether I am thus, or thus, your men can tell ye. Otr. My men? Defend me, how I freeze together, And am on ice? do I bite at such an Orange After my men? I am preferred. Flo. Why stay ye? Why do we talk my Lord, and lose our time? Pleasure was made for lips, and sweet embraces, Let Lawyers use their tongues: pardon me Modesty, This desperate way must help, or I am miserable. Otr. She turns, and wipes her face, she weeps for certain, Some new way now, she cannot be thus beastly, She is too excellent fair to be thus impudent: She knows the elements of common looseness, The art of lewdness: that, that, that, how now, Sir. Enter a servant. Ser. The King (an't please your Lordship) is alighted Close at the gate. Otr. The King? Ser. And calls for ye Sir. Means to breakfast here too. Flo. Then I am happy. Otr. Stolen so suddenly? go lock her up, Lock her up where the Courtiers may not see her, Lock her up closely, sirrah, in my closet. Ser. I will (my Lord) what does she yield yet? Exit. Otr. Peace: She is either a damned devil, or an Angel, No noise (upon your life Dame) but all silence. Enter King, Lords, Vertigo, Lisauro, Terso. Otr. Your Majesty heaps too much honour on me, With such delight to view each several corner Of a rude pile: there's no proportion in't, Sir. Phil. Methinks 'tis handsome, and the rooms along Are neat, and well contrived: the Gallery Stands pleasantly and sweet: what rooms are these? Otr. They are sluttish ones. Phil. Nay, I must see. Otr. Pray ye do Sir, They are lodging-chambers over a homely garden. Phil. Fit still, and handsome; very well: and those? Otr. Those lead to the other side o'th' house, an't like ye. Phil. Let me see those. Otr. Ye may, the doors are open. What should this view mean? I am half suspicious. Phil. This little Room? Otr. 'tis mean: a place for trash Sir, For rubbish of the house. Phil. I would see this too: I will see all. Otr. I beseech your Majesty, The savour of it, and the course appearance. Phil. 'Tis not so bad, you would not offend your house with it, Come, let me see. Otr. Faith Sir, Phil. I'faith I will see. Otr. My Groom has the key Sir, and 'tis ten to one Phil. But I will see it: force the lock (my Lords) There be smiths enough to mend it: I perceive You keep some rare things here, you would not show Sir. Florimell discovered. Ter. Here's a fair maid indeed. Phil. By my faith is she A handsome girl: come forward, do not fear wench. I marry, here's a treasure worth concealing: Call in the Miller. Otr. Then I am discovered. I confess all before the Miller comes Sir, 'Twas but intention, from all act I am clear yet. Enter Franio. Phil. Is this your daughter? Fra. Yes, and 't please your Highness. This is the shape of her, for her substance Sir, Whether she be now honourable or dishonourable: Whether she be a white-rose, or a canker, is the question: I thank my Lord, he made bold with my Philly, If she be for your pace, you had best preserve her Sir, She is tender mouthed, let her be broken handsomely. Maid, were you stolen? Flo. I went not willingly, And 't please your Grace, I was never bred so boldly. Phil. How has he used ye? Flo. Yet Sir, very nobly. Phil. Be sure ye tell truth, and be sure (my Lord) You have not wronged her: if ye have, I tell ye You have lost me, and yourself too: speak again (wench) Flo. He has not wronged me, Sir; I am yet a maid: By all that's white and innocent, I am Sir, Only I suffered under strong temptations The heat of youth; but heaven delivered me. My Lord, I am no whore, for all I feigned it, And feigned it cunningly, and made ye loathe me: 'Twas time to outdo you: I had been robbed else, I had been miserable, but I forgive ye. Phil. What recompense for this? Otr. A great one Sir, First a repentance, and a hearty one. Forgive me Sweet. Flo. I do my Lord. Otr. I thank ye; The next take this, and these: all I have Florimell. Flo. No good my Lord, these often corrupt maidens: I dare not touch at these; they are lime for Virgins; But if you'll give me. Otr. Any thing in my power. Or in my purchase. Flo. Take heed (noble Sir) You'll make me a bold asker. Otr. Ask me freely. Flo. Ask you? I do ask you, and I deserve ye, I have kept ye from a crying sin would damn ye To Men and Time: I have preserved your credit, That would have died to all posterity: Curses of maids shall never now afflict ye, Nor Parents bitter tears make your name barren: If he deserves well that redeems his Country, And as a Patriot be remembered nobly, Nay, set the highest: may not I be worthy To be your friend, that have preserved your honour? Otr. You are, and thus I take ye: thus I seal ye Mine own, and only mine. Phil. Count, she deserves ye, And let it be my happiness to give ye, I have given a virtuous maid, now I dare say it, 'Tis more than blood; I'll pay her portion Sir, an't shall be worthy you. Fra. I'll sell my Mill, I'll pay some too: I'll pay the Fiddlers, And we'll have all i' th' Country at this wedding, Pray let me give her too, here my Lord take her, Take her with all my heart, and kiss her freely, Would I could give you all this hand has stolen too, In portion with her, 'twould make her a little whiter. The wind blows fair now, get me a young Miller. Ver. She must have new clothes. Tir. Yes. Ver. Yes marry must she. If't please ye (Madam) let me see the state of you body. I'll fit you instantly. Phil. Art not thou gone yet? Ver. And 't please your Grace, a gown, a handsome gown now, An orient gown. Phil. Nay, take thy pleasure of her. Ver. Of cloth of Tissue I can fit ye (Madam) My Lords, stand out o'th' light, a curious body, The neatest body in Spain this day: with embroidered flowers, A clinquant Petticoat of some rich stuff, To catch the eye: I have a thousand fashions. O sleeve, O sleeve: I'll study all night (Madam) To magnify your sleeve. Otr. Do, superstitious Tailor, When ye have more time. Flo. Make me no more than woman, And I am thine. Otr. Sir, haply my Wardrobe with your help May fit her instantly: will you try her? Ver. If I fit her not, your Wardrobe cannot. But if the fashion be not there, you mar her. Enter Antonio, Constable, Officers. Ant. Is my offence so great, ere I be convict, To be torn with Rascals? If it be Law, Let 'em be wild horses, rather than these. Phil. What's that? Con. This is a man suspected of murder, if it please your Grace. Phil. It pleases me not (friend). But who suspects him? Const. We that are your highness' extraordinary officers, We that have taken our oaths to maintain you in peace. Phil. 'Twill be a great charge to you. Const. 'Tis a great charge indeed; but then we call our neighbours to help us. This Gentleman and another were fallen out (yet that's more than I am able to say, for I heard no words between 'em, but what their weapons spoke, Clash, and Clatter) which we seeing, came with our Bills of government, and first knocked down their weapons, and then the men. Phil. And this you did to keep the peace? Const. Yes, and 't like your Grace, we knocked 'em down to keep the peace: this we laid hold on, the other we set in the stocks. That I could do by mine own power, without your Majesty. Enter Aminta. Phil. How so, Sir? Const. I am a Shoemaker by my Trade. Am. Oh my husband! Why stands my husband as a man endangered? Restore him me, as you are merciful, I'll answer for him. Ant. What woman's this? what husband? hold thy bawling, I know thee for no wife. Am. You married me last night. Ant. Thou liest: I neither was in Church nor house Last night, nor saw I thee: a thing that was my friend, I scorn to name now, was with Ismenia, Like a thief, and there he violated A sacred trust. This thou mayst know (Aminta). Am. Are not you he? Ant. No; nor a friend of his: Would I had killed him: I hope I have. Am. That was my husband (Royal Sir) that man, That excellent man. Enter Bellides. Ant. That villain, that thief. Bel. Have I caught you Sir? well overtaken. This is mine enemy: pardon (my Sovereign). Phil. Good charity, to crave pardon for your enemy. Bel. Mine own pardon (Sir) for my joys rudeness: In what place better could I meet my foe, And both of us so well provided too? He with some black bloodthirsty crime upon him, That (ere the horseleech burst) will suck him dry: I with a second accusation, Enough to break his neck, if need should be, And then to have even Justice self to right us: How should I make my joys a little civil, They might not keep this noise? Ant. Here is some hope. Should the axe be dull, the halter's preparing. Phil. What's your accusation, Sir? We have heard the former. Enter Julio. Bel. Mine (My Lord)? a strong one. Jul. A false one, Sir. At least malicious: an evidence Of hatred and despite: He would accuse My poor kinsman of that he never dreamed of, Nor waking saw; the stealing of his daughter, She whom, I know, he would not look upon. Speak Antonio, Didst thou ever see her? Ant. Yes Sir, I have seen her. Bel. Ah ha, friend Julio. Jul. He might, but how? with an unheedful eye, An accidental view, as men see multitudes That the next day dare not precisely say They saw that face, or that amongst 'em all, Didst thou so look on her? Bel. Guilty, guilty: His looks hang themselves. Phil. Your patience (Gentleman). I pray you tell me if I be in error, I may speak often when I should but hear: This is some Show you would present us with, And I do interrupt it: Pray you speak, (It seems no more) Is 't any thing but a Show? Bel. My Lord, this Gentlewoman can show you all, So could my daughter too, if she were here; By this time they are both immodest enough: she's fled me, and I accuse this thief for't. Don Martin, his own friend 's my testimony: A practised nightwork. Phil. That Martin's the other In your custody; he was forgotten: Fetch him hither. Const. we'll bring the Stocks and all else, an't please your Grace. Enter Bustofa and Ismenia. Am. That man's my husband certain, instead of this: Both would have deceived, and both beguiled. Bust. Soh hoh, Miller, Miller, look out Miller: is there ne'er a Miller amongst you here, Gentlemen? Tir. Yes Sir, here is a Miller amongst Gentlemen, A Gentleman Miller. Bust. I should not be far off then; there went but a pair of shears and a bodkin between us. Will you to work Miller? Here's a maid has a sack full of news for you, shall your stones walk? will you grind Miller? Phil. This your son, Franio? Fra. My ungracious, my disobedient, My unnatural, my rebel son (my Lord). Bust. Fie, your hopper runs over, Miller. Fra. This villain (of my own flesh & blood) was accessary To the stealing of my daughter. Bust. Oh mountain, Shalt thou call a molehill a scab upon the face Of the earth? Though a man be a thief, shall a Miller call Him so? Oh egregious! Jul. Remember Sirrah, who you speak before. Bust. I speak before a Miller, A thief in grain; for he steals corn: He that steals A wench, is a true man to him. Phil. Can you prove that? you may help another cause that was in pleading. Bust. I'll prove it strongly. He that steals corn, steals the bread of the Common-wealth; He that steals a wench, steals but the flesh. Phil. And how is the bread stealing more criminal than the flesh? Bust. He that steals bread, steals that which is lawful every day: He that steals flesh, steals nothing from the fasting day: Ergo, To steal the bread is the arranter theft. Phil. This is to some purpose. Bust. Again, He that steals flesh, steals for his own belly full: He that steals bread, robs the guts of others: Ergo, The arranter thief the bread-stealer. Again, He that steals flesh, steals once, and gives over; yes, and often pays for it: the other steals every day, without satisfaction. To conclude, Bread-stealing is the more capital crime: for what he steals he puts it in at the head: he that steals flesh (as the Dutch Author says) puts it in at the foot, (the lower member.) Will you go as you are now, Miller? Phil. How has this satisfied you, Don Bellides? Bel. Nothing (my Lord,) my cause is serious. I claim a daughter from that loving thief there. Ant. I would I had her for you, Sir. Bel. Ah ha, Julio. Jul. How said you (Antonio)? Wish you you had his daughter? Ant. With my soul I wish her; and my body Shall perish, but I'll enjoy my souls wish. I would have slain my friend for his deceit, But I do find his own deceit hath paid him. Jul. Will you vex my soul forth? no other choice But where my hate is rooted? Come hither Girl, Whose pretty maid art thou? Ism. The child of a poor man, Sir. Jul. The better for it. With my sovereign's leave, I'll wed thee to this man, will he, nill he. Phil. Pardon me, Sir, I'll be no Love enforcer: I use no power of mine unto those ends. Jul. Wilt thou have him? Ism. Not unless he love me. Ant. I do love thee: Farewell all other Beauties: I settle here: You are Ismenia. Ism. The same I was: better nor worse (Antonio) Ant. I shall have your consent here, I'm sure, Sir. Bel. With all my heart, Sir. Nay, if you accept it, I'll do this kindness to mine enemy, And give her as a Father. Ant. she'll thank you as a Daughter. Will you not, Ismenia? Bel. How? Ismenia? Ism. Your daughter, Sir. believe't ssiPoble? Away you feeble witted things, You thought you had caught the old ones: You wade, you wade In shallow fords: we can swim, we: look here, We made the match: we are all friends, good friends; Thin, thin: why the fool knew all this, this fool. Bust. Keep that to yourself, Sir; What I knew I knew: This Sack is a witness. Miller, this is not for your thumbing. Here's gold lace: you may see her in her holiday clothes if you will; I was her ward-robe-man. Enter Martin, Aminta, Constable, Officers. Ant. You beguiled me well, Sir. Mar. Did you speak to me, Sir? Ant. It might seem to you (Martin), your conscience Has quick ears. Mar. My sight was a little dim i'th' dark, indeed, So was my feeling cozened; yet I'm content: I am the better understander now, I know my wife wants nothing of a woman; There you're my Junior. Ant. You are not hurt? Mar. Not shrewdly hurt; I have good flesh to heal, you see, Good round flesh: these cherries will be worth chopping, Crack stones and all; I should not give much to boot To ride in your new, and you in my old ones now. Ant. You mistake the weapon: are you not hurt? Mar. A little scratch: but I shall claw it off well enough. Enter Gillian. Gill. I can no longer own what is not mine With a free conscience: My Liege, your pardon. Phil. For what? Who knows this woman? Fra. I best (my Lord), I have been acquainted with her these forty Summers, And as many Winters, were it Spring again; She's like the Gout, I can get no cure for her. Phil. Oh, your wife, Franio? Fra. 'Tis oh my wife indeed (my Lord,) A painful stitch to my side; would it were picked out. Phil. Well Sir, your silence. Bust. will you be older and older every day then other? the longer you live the older still? Must his Majesty command your silence ere you'll hold your tongue? Phil. Your reprehension runs into the same fault: Pray Sir, will you be silent. Bust. I have told him of this before now (my Liege) but Age will have his course, and his weaknesses, Phil. Good Sir, your forbearance. Bust. And his frailties, and his follies (as I may say) that cannot hold his tongue ere he be bidden. Phil. Why Sirrah? Bust. But I believe your Majesty will not be long troubled with him: I hope that woman has something to confess will hang 'em both. Phil. Sirrah, you'll pull your destiny upon you If you cease not the sooner. Bust. Nay, I have done, my Liege; yet it grieves me that I should call that man Father, that should be so shameless, that being commanded to hold his tongue. Phil. To th' porter's Lodge with him. Bust. I thank your Grace, I have a friend there. Phil. Speak woman, if any interruption meet thee more, It shall be punished sharply. Gill. Good my Liege (I dare not) Ask you the question why that old man weeps. Phil. Who? Count Julio? I observed it not. You hear the question Sir, will you give the cause? Jul. Oh my Lord, it hardly will get passage, It is a sorrow of that greatness grown, 'Less it dissolve in tears, and come by parcels. Gill. I'll help you Sir, in the delivery, And bring you forth a joy. You lost a daughter. Jul. 'Twas that recounted thought brought forth these sorrows. Gill. she's found again. Know you this mantle Sir? Jul. Hah? Gill. Nay leave your wonder, I'll explain it to you. This did enwrap your child (whom ever since I have called mine) when Nurse Amaranta In a remove from Mora to Corduba Was seized on by a fierce and hungry Bear, She was the Raven's prey, as heaven so would, He with his booty filled, forsook the babe: All this was in my sight: and so long I saw, Until the cruel creature left my sight, At which advantage I adventured me To rescue the sweet Lamb: I did it Sir, And ever since I have kept back your joy, And made it mine: but age hath wearied me, And bids me back restore unto the owner What I unjustly kept these fourteen years. Jul. Oh, thou hast ta'en so many years from me, And made me young, as was her birthday to me. Oh (good my Liege) give my joys a pardon, I must go pour a blessing on my child, Which here would be too rude and troublesome. Exit. Phil. Franio, you knew this before. Bust. Oh, oh; Item for you Miller. Fra. I did (my Liege) I must confess I did, And I confess, I ne'er would have confessed, Had not that woman's tongue begun to me: We poor ones love, and would have comforts, Sir, As well as great: this is no strange fault, Sir, There's many men keep other men's children As though they were their own. Bust. It may stretch farther yet, I beseech you (my Liege) let this woman be a little farther examined; let the words of her conscience be searched. I would know how she came by me: I am a lost child, if I be theirs: though I have been brought up in a mill, yet I had ever a mind( methought) to be a greater man. Phil. She will resolve you sure. Gill. ay, I Boy: thou art mine own flesh and blood, Born of mine own body. Bust. 'Tis very unlikely that such a body should bear me; There's no trust in these millers. Woman, tell the truth: my father shall forgive thee, whatsoever he was, were he Knight, Squire, or Captain; less he should not be. Gill. Thou art mine own child, Boy. Bust. And was the Miller my Father? Gill. Wouldst thou make thy mother a whore, Knave? Bust. ay, if she make me a Bastard. The rack must make her confess (my Lord) I shall never come to know who I am else. I have a worshipful mind in me sure: methinks I do scorn poor folks. Enter Otrante, Florimell and Julio, etc. Phil. Here comes the brightest glory of the day: Love yoked with love, the best equality, Without the level of estate or person. Jul. You both shall be rewarded bountifully, we'll be akin too; Brother and Sister shall be changed with us ever. Bust. Thank you (Uncle) my sister is my x yet at the last cast: Farewell sister foster. If I had known the Civil law would have allowed it, thou hadst had another manner of husband than thou hast: but much good do thee; I'll dance at thy wedding, kiss the Bride, and so. Jul. Why, how now sirrah? Bust. 'Tis lawful now, she's none of my Sister. It was a Miller and a Lord That had a scabbard and a sword, He put it up in the Country word The Miller and his daughter. She has a face, and she can sing, She has a Grace, and she can spring, She has a place with another thing Tradoodle. Fra. A knavish Brother of yours (my Lord). Bust. would I were acquainted with your Tailor (Noble Brother). Otr. You may, there he is a mine, newly entertained. Ver. If you have any work for me, I can fit you Sir, I fitted the Lady. Bust. My Sister (Tailor,) what fits her will hardly fit me. Ver. Who fits her may fit you Sir, the Tailor can do both. Bust. You have a true yard (Tailor.) Ver. ne'er a whit too long, I warrant you. Bust. Then (Tailor) march with me away, I scorn these robes, I must be gay, My Noble Brother, he shall pay Tom Tailor. Exeunt. Phil. Your recovered friendships are sound, Gentlemen? Bel. At heart, at heart (my Lord) the worm shall not Beyond many ages find a breach to enter at. Phil. These Lovers unities I will not doubt of: How happy have you made our Progress then, To be the witness of such fair Accords? Come, now we'll eat with you (my Lord Otrante,) 'Tis a charge saved: You must not grudge your guest, 'Tis both my Welcome, and your Wedding-Feast. Exeunt. FINIS.